The Badger food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Watford
The Badger 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 3 May 2016, more than 10 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: 120 The Gossamers, Watford, WD25 9AD
How it compares in Watford
That puts The Badger among the 687 places in Watford holding top marks, 80% 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 | 687 | 80% | ← The Badger | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 118 | 14% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 42 | 5% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 5 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 4 | <1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 0 | 0% |
A further 141 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 Badger 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 Badger, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annas Kitchen Distributors/Transporters | 426 yards away | 5 - Very good | 24 April 2025 |
| Astero's Kitchen Ltd Retailers - other | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 18 June 2024 |
| Argos At Sainsbury's Retailers - other | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 13 March 2020 |
| Asda Stores Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 24 February 2026 |
| Berrygrove Lodge Partnership Hotel/bed & breakfast/guest house | 0.7 miles away | 5 - Very good | 14 February 2025 |
| Aspire Academies Trust @ Knutsford School School/college/university | 0.8 miles away | 5 - Very good | 24 September 2025 |
| Asvins Food And Wine Retailers - other | 0.8 miles away | 5 - Very good | 17 August 2018 |
| Bright Little Stars Nursery Caring Premises | 0.9 miles away | 5 - Very good | 1 September 2025 |
Questions about The Badger
What is The Badger's food hygiene rating?
The Badger has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Watford Council on 3 May 2016.
Is The Badger 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 Badger last inspected?
The Badger was last inspected on 3 May 2016, more than 10 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Watford Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Badger?
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 Badger compare to other places in Watford?
80% of the 856 rated food businesses in Watford hold the top rating of 5, and The Badger is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Watford Council inspects The Badger 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 Badger and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
Free, for three businesses, forever. No password, we send you a link. How rating alerts work →
Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Watford inspects and rates 997 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Watford →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.watford.gov.uk/foodhygieneratings
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 →