The Old Guinea food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Hertsmere
The Old Guinea 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 21 October 2025, 8 months ago. Councils typically re-inspect higher-risk businesses every six months to two years, with well-run, low-risk places visited least often, so this is a normal gap.
Address: Crossoaks Lane, Ridge, Potters Bar, EN6 3LH
How it compares in Hertsmere
That puts The Old Guinea among the 582 places in Hertsmere holding top marks, 81% 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 | 582 | 81% | ← The Old Guinea | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 90 | 12% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 30 | 4% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 5 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 14 | 2% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 0 | 0% |
A further 120 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 Old Guinea 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 Old Guinea, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| BP South Mimms Simply Food Connect Motorway Service Area Takeaway/sandwich shop | 1.1 miles away | 5 - Very good | 11 November 2025 |
| Burger King Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 1.1 miles away | 5 - Very good | 22 October 2024 |
| Arborescence Montessori Caring Premises | 1.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 21 October 2025 |
| Dyrham Park Country Club Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 1.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 22 July 2024 |
| Busy Bees At Shenley Caring Premises | 1.7 miles away | 5 - Very good | 7 October 2025 |
| Culinera @ Dame Alice Owens School School/college/university | 1.7 miles away | 5 - Very good | 26 September 2025 |
| Bright Horizons Norfolk Lodge Montessori Nursery Caring Premises | 1.8 miles away | 5 - Very good | 28 October 2025 |
| Caretech Com Services Caring Premises | 1.8 miles away | 5 - Very good | 15 October 2025 |
Questions about The Old Guinea
What is The Old Guinea's food hygiene rating?
The Old Guinea has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Hertsmere Council on 21 October 2025.
Is The Old Guinea 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 Old Guinea last inspected?
The Old Guinea was last inspected on 21 October 2025, 8 months ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Hertsmere Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Old Guinea?
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 Old Guinea compare to other places in Hertsmere?
81% of the 721 rated food businesses in Hertsmere hold the top rating of 5, and The Old Guinea is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Hertsmere Council inspects The Old Guinea 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 Old Guinea 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 Old Guinea is one of 160 rated food businesses in Potters Bar. See every hygiene rating in Potters Bar →
Hertsmere inspects and rates 841 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Hertsmere →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.hertsmere.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 →