The Copper Key food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · West Devon
The Copper Key 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 29 January 2025, 17 months ago. Councils typically re-inspect higher-risk businesses every six months to two years, with well-run, low-risk places visited least often, so this is a normal gap.
Address: Fore Street, North Tawton, EX20 2ED
How it compares in West Devon
That puts The Copper Key among the 456 places in West Devon holding top marks, 83% 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 | 456 | 83% | ← The Copper Key | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 71 | 13% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 15 | 3% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 4 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 2 | <1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 0 | 0% |
A further 81 businesses in the area are awaiting inspection or exempt, so are not counted above.
What the inspector found
- Hygienic food handling 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 Copper Key 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 Copper Key, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Tent Party Co Retailers - other | 145 yards away | Awaiting inspection | |
| Rugby Club Other catering premises | 403 yards away | 5 - Very good | 19 January 2026 |
| Pizza Pronto Takeaway/sandwich shop | 427 yards away | 5 - Very good | 4 March 2026 |
| North Tawton Pharmacy Retailers - other | 427 yards away | Exempt | |
| Barzotelli Gelato Takeaway/sandwich shop | 432 yards away | 5 - Very good | 15 August 2025 |
| Cafe in the Square Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 439 yards away | 5 - Very good | 23 October 2025 |
| Spar Retailers - other | 0.3 miles away | 4 - Good | 4 February 2026 |
| Ecomojo Cic Retailers - other | 0.3 miles away | 4 - Good | 4 February 2026 |
Questions about The Copper Key
What is The Copper Key's food hygiene rating?
The Copper Key has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by West Devon Council on 29 January 2025.
Is The Copper Key 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 Copper Key last inspected?
The Copper Key was last inspected on 29 January 2025, 17 months ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by West Devon Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Copper Key?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "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 Copper Key compare to other places in West Devon?
83% of the 548 rated food businesses in West Devon hold the top rating of 5, and The Copper Key is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
West Devon Council inspects The Copper Key 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 Copper Key and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
The Copper Key is one of 17 rated food businesses in North Tawton. See every hygiene rating in North Tawton →
West Devon inspects and rates 629 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in West Devon →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.westdevon.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 →