The Red Lion Inn food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Braintree
The Red Lion 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 17 October 2016, more than 9 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: Fowes Lane, Belchamp Otten, Sudbury, CO10 7BQ
How it compares in Braintree
That puts The Red Lion Inn among the 979 places in Braintree holding top marks, 85% 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 | 979 | 85% | ← The Red Lion Inn | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 126 | 11% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 34 | 3% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 8 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 9 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 0 | 0% |
A further 111 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 Red Lion 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 Red Lion Inn, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Half Moon Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 12 December 2024 |
| Banhoek Chilli Oil Company (UK) Ltd Retailers - other | 1.2 miles away | 4 - Good | 7 February 2020 |
| Splinters Outside Caterers Other catering premises | 2.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 19 March 2026 |
| The Pheasant Public House \& Hotel Pub/bar/nightclub | 2.6 miles away | 4 - Good | 13 March 2026 |
| Roughacre Brewery Manufacturers/packers | 2.8 miles away | 5 - Very good | 9 April 2022 |
| Roughacre Brewery Tap Room Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 2.8 miles away | 5 - Very good | 7 March 2025 |
| Platform One Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 2.9 miles away | 4 - Good | 11 September 2025 |
| Clare Ex-Servicemens and Working Mens Club Other catering premises | 2.9 miles away | 4 - Good | 12 February 2004 |
Questions about The Red Lion Inn
What is The Red Lion Inn's food hygiene rating?
The Red Lion Inn has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Braintree Council on 17 October 2016.
Is The Red Lion 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 Red Lion Inn last inspected?
The Red Lion Inn was last inspected on 17 October 2016, more than 9 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Braintree Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Red Lion 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 Red Lion Inn compare to other places in Braintree?
85% of the 1,156 rated food businesses in Braintree hold the top rating of 5, and The Red Lion Inn is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Braintree Council inspects The Red Lion 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 Red Lion 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
Braintree inspects and rates 1,267 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Braintree →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.braintree.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 →