The Bell Inn food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · West Suffolk
The Bell Inn holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the pub met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 24 July 2023, more than 2 years ago. A lot can change in a kitchen in that time, and a rating this old says more about the business then than now. Councils prioritise re-inspecting higher-risk premises, so a long gap often means the business is considered low-risk.
Address: The Bell, Bell Lane, Barton Mills, IP28 6AJ
How it compares in West Suffolk
That puts The Bell Inn among the 1,349 places in West Suffolk holding top marks, 91% of everywhere the council rates. A 5 is the norm here rather than the exception, so it is the rating to expect, not to be impressed by.
| 5 out of 5 | 1,349 | 91% | ← The Bell Inn | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 91 | 6% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 25 | 2% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 5 | <1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 12 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 1 | <1% |
A further 241 businesses in the area are awaiting inspection or exempt, so are not counted above.
What the inspector found
- Hygienic food handling Very good
- Cleanliness & condition of the building Very good
- How well they manage food safety Very good
An inspection scores three things: how food is handled, the physical condition of the premises, and how much the inspector trusts management to keep standards up. At The Bell Inn none of the three raised a concern, the overall rating is only ever as strong as its weakest area, so a clean sweep is what produces a high score.
Food hygiene ratings nearby
The closest food businesses to The Bell Inn, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barton Mills Village Hall Other catering premises | 318 yards away | Exempt | |
| Wakeling House Caring Premises | 356 yards away | 5 - Very good | 19 March 2025 |
| The Bull inn Hotel/bed & breakfast/guest house | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 28 April 2026 |
| Shell Barton Mills Retailers - other | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 18 March 2024 |
| Mildenhall Social Club Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 18 March 2023 |
| Sainsbury's Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 10 July 2024 |
| Five Guys Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 31 January 2026 |
| Greggs Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 7 September 2025 |
Questions about The Bell Inn
What is The Bell Inn's food hygiene rating?
The Bell Inn has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by West Suffolk Council on 24 July 2023.
Is The Bell Inn safe to eat at?
The rating covers hygiene standards found at inspection, not the food itself. At 5 out of 5, the inspector found hygiene standards at this pub to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was The Bell Inn last inspected?
The Bell Inn was last inspected on 24 July 2023, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by West Suffolk Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Bell Inn?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "very good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "very good", and confidence in the management of food safety "very good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does The Bell Inn compare to other places in West Suffolk?
91% of the 1,483 rated food businesses in West Suffolk hold the top rating of 5, and The Bell Inn is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
West Suffolk Council inspects The Bell Inn and sets the rating; the Food Standards Agency publishes it. Neither the business nor this site can change a rating, a business that disagrees can appeal to its council, and can request a re-inspection once it has fixed the problems.
Tell me when this changes
The Food Standards Agency publishes only a business's rating today, not what it scored before, and not when it moves. We check every UK rating each night. Watch The Bell Inn and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
West Suffolk inspects and rates 1,724 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in West Suffolk →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk
Rating from the Food Standards Agency under the Open Government Licence. Ratings reflect standards found at the time of inspection and can change. If you think a rating is wrong, the official record is held by the FSA and the local authority; corrections there flow through here. How ratings work →