The Iron Horse food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Durham
The Iron Horse 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 20 June 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: The Iron Horse Emerson Way, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 5HQ
How it compares in Durham
That puts The Iron Horse among the 3,087 places in Durham holding top marks, 75% 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 | 3,087 | 75% | ← The Iron Horse | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 682 | 17% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 286 | 7% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 51 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 25 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 2 | <1% |
A further 512 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 Iron Horse 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 Iron Horse, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simpasture Fisheries Takeaway/sandwich shop | 76 yards away | 5 - Very good | 12 June 2024 |
| Morrisons Daily Retailers - other | 81 yards away | 5 - Very good | 16 February 2026 |
| Walkers Butchers Manufacturers/packers | 95 yards away | 5 - Very good | 23 March 2026 |
| Playday Nursery Caring Premises | 189 yards away | 5 - Very good | 8 May 2025 |
| Steam Machine Brewing Company Farmers/growers | 415 yards away | 5 - Very good | 27 February 2026 |
| Aviator Gin bar Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 28 November 2024 |
| St Clares Church Hall Other catering premises | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 11 March 2019 |
| Thames Butchers Retailers - other | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 29 January 2026 |
Questions about The Iron Horse
What is The Iron Horse's food hygiene rating?
The Iron Horse has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Durham Council on 20 June 2024.
Is The Iron Horse 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 Iron Horse last inspected?
The Iron Horse was last inspected on 20 June 2024, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Durham Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Iron Horse?
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 Iron Horse compare to other places in Durham?
75% of the 4,133 rated food businesses in Durham hold the top rating of 5, and The Iron Horse is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Durham Council inspects The Iron Horse 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 Iron Horse 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
The Iron Horse is one of 160 rated food businesses in Newton Aycliffe. See every hygiene rating in Newton Aycliffe →
Durham inspects and rates 4,645 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Durham →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.durham.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 →