The Royal Oak food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Central Bedfordshire
The Royal Oak 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 28 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: 18 Church Road, Aspley Heath, Bedfordshire, MK17 8TA
How it compares in Central Bedfordshire
That puts The Royal Oak among the 1,153 places in Central Bedfordshire holding top marks, 76% 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 | 1,153 | 76% | ← The Royal Oak | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 254 | 17% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 83 | 5% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 18 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 10 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 2 | <1% |
A further 189 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 Royal Oak 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 Royal Oak, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larchfield Nursery Caring Premises | 303 yards away | 5 - Very good | 18 May 2026 |
| Co-op Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets | 434 yards away | 5 - Very good | 11 March 2016 |
| Aubergine Fine Foods Retailers - other | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 20 August 2024 |
| Burlington Hall Care Home Caring Premises | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 10 April 2026 |
| Devon Lodge Retirement Home Caring Premises | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 13 February 2026 |
| Fulbrook Middle School School/college/university | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 14 May 2026 |
| Amore Bakery Manufacturers/packers | 0.7 miles away | 5 - Very good | 10 March 2025 |
| Frosts Garden Centre Restaurant Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.9 miles away | 5 - Very good | 20 August 2024 |
Questions about The Royal Oak
What is The Royal Oak's food hygiene rating?
The Royal Oak has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Central Bedfordshire Council on 28 June 2024.
Is The Royal Oak 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 Royal Oak last inspected?
The Royal Oak was last inspected on 28 June 2024, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Central Bedfordshire Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Royal Oak?
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 Royal Oak compare to other places in Central Bedfordshire?
76% of the 1,520 rated food businesses in Central Bedfordshire hold the top rating of 5, and The Royal Oak is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Central Bedfordshire Council inspects The Royal Oak 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 Royal Oak and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Central Bedfordshire inspects and rates 1,709 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Central Bedfordshire →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.centralbedfordshire.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 →