The Walnut Tree food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Chelmsford
The Walnut Tree 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 13 October 2023, 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: Walnut Tree, Larks Lane, Great Waltham, CM3 1DT
How it compares in Chelmsford
That puts The Walnut Tree among the 1,327 places in Chelmsford holding top marks, 92% 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 | 1,327 | 92% | ← The Walnut Tree | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 86 | 6% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 18 | 1% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 6 | <1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 9 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 1 | <1% |
A further 153 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 Very 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 Walnut Tree 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 Walnut Tree, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Sports Centre Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 7 November 2025 |
| Great Waltham Village Hall Other catering premises | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 8 January 2025 |
| Great Waltham C Of E Primary School School/college/university | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 9 December 2025 |
| Premier Sports Coach Solutions School/college/university | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 22 August 2024 |
| Rose And Crown Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 25 June 2025 |
| Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.7 miles away | 5 - Very good | 8 June 2026 |
| Seymour House Day Nursery Caring Premises | 0.7 miles away | 5 - Very good | 16 March 2026 |
| Costa Coffee Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.9 miles away | 5 - Very good | 8 June 2026 |
Questions about The Walnut Tree
What is The Walnut Tree's food hygiene rating?
The Walnut Tree has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Chelmsford Council on 13 October 2023.
Is The Walnut Tree 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 Walnut Tree last inspected?
The Walnut Tree was last inspected on 13 October 2023, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Chelmsford Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Walnut Tree?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "very 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 Walnut Tree compare to other places in Chelmsford?
92% of the 1,447 rated food businesses in Chelmsford hold the top rating of 5, and The Walnut Tree is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Chelmsford Council inspects The Walnut Tree 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 Walnut Tree and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Chelmsford inspects and rates 1,600 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Chelmsford →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.chelmsford.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 →