The Plough Inn food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Oxford City
The Plough 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 22 February 2024, 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: 38 Cornmarket Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3HA
How it compares in Oxford City
That puts The Plough Inn among the 1,206 places in Oxford City holding top marks, 87% 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 | 1,206 | 87% | ← The Plough Inn | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 116 | 8% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 32 | 2% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 11 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 12 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 4 | <1% |
A further 153 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 Good
- How well they manage food safety 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 Plough 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 Plough Inn, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ask Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 48 yards away | 5 - Very good | 17 March 2026 |
| Cafe Creme Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 134 yards away | 5 - Very good | 6 February 2024 |
| Boots UK Ltd Retailers - other | 140 yards away | 5 - Very good | 21 April 2022 |
| Bonn Square News Retailers - other | 163 yards away | 5 - Very good | 18 July 2024 |
| A Taste Of China Takeaway/sandwich shop | 167 yards away | 5 - Very good | 24 July 2025 |
| Angrid Thai Canteen Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 175 yards away | 5 - Very good | 13 November 2024 |
| Brown's Cafe Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 180 yards away | 5 - Very good | 12 December 2025 |
| Alpha Bar Takeaway/sandwich shop | 203 yards away | 5 - Very good | 11 April 2024 |
Questions about The Plough Inn
What is The Plough Inn's food hygiene rating?
The Plough Inn has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Oxford City Council on 22 February 2024.
Is The Plough 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 Plough Inn last inspected?
The Plough Inn was last inspected on 22 February 2024, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Oxford City Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Plough Inn?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "very good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "good", and confidence in the management of food safety "good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does The Plough Inn compare to other places in Oxford City?
87% of the 1,381 rated food businesses in Oxford City hold the top rating of 5, and The Plough Inn is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Oxford City Council inspects The Plough 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 Plough 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
Oxford City inspects and rates 1,534 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Oxford City →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.oxford.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 →