The Havelock Arms food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Darlington
The Havelock Arms 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 2 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: 7 The Square, Middleton St George, Darlington, DL2 1EG
How it compares in Darlington
That puts The Havelock Arms among the 755 places in Darlington holding top marks, 90% 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 | 755 | 90% | ← The Havelock Arms | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 48 | 6% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 19 | 2% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 7 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 6 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 1 | <1% |
A further 79 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 Havelock Arms 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 Havelock Arms, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hill News Londis Retailers - other | at this address | 5 - Very good | 10 August 2023 |
| Golden Chef Takeaway/sandwich shop | 8 yards away | 5 - Very good | 28 March 2025 |
| Leila's Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 61 yards away | 5 - Very good | 12 November 2025 |
| Middleton Lodge Caring Premises | 173 yards away | 5 - Very good | 19 August 2025 |
| Lols Mobile Kitchen Takeaway/sandwich shop | 186 yards away | 5 - Very good | 28 January 2026 |
| Cricket And Social Club Pub/bar/nightclub | 279 yards away | 5 - Very good | 16 November 2023 |
| Magik Out Of School Club Caring Premises | 392 yards away | 5 - Very good | 24 January 2024 |
| St Georges CE Academy Catering School/college/university | 392 yards away | 5 - Very good | 19 September 2025 |
Questions about The Havelock Arms
What is The Havelock Arms's food hygiene rating?
The Havelock Arms has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Darlington Council on 2 February 2024.
Is The Havelock Arms 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 Havelock Arms last inspected?
The Havelock Arms was last inspected on 2 February 2024, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Darlington Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Havelock Arms?
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 Havelock Arms compare to other places in Darlington?
90% of the 836 rated food businesses in Darlington hold the top rating of 5, and The Havelock Arms is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Darlington Council inspects The Havelock Arms 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 Havelock Arms 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 Havelock Arms is one of 31 rated food businesses in Middleton St. George. See every hygiene rating in Middleton St. George →
Darlington inspects and rates 915 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Darlington →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.darlington.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 →