Black Hut Cafe food hygiene rating
Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen · Mid Sussex
Black Hut Cafe holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the restaurant met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 8 August 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: Ardingly Activity Centre, The Lodge, Ardingly Reservoir, RH17 6SQ
How it compares in Mid Sussex
That puts Black Hut Cafe among the 1,031 places in Mid Sussex holding top marks, 83% 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 | 1,031 | 83% | ← Black Hut Cafe | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 127 | 10% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 59 | 5% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 14 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 16 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 1 | <1% |
A further 116 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 Very good
- How well they manage food safety Very 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 Black Hut Cafe 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 Black Hut Cafe, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ardingly College School/college/university | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 13 October 2025 |
| Balcombe Place Hotel/bed & breakfast/guest house | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 10 October 2024 |
| St Peters Pre-School Caring Premises | 0.8 miles away | 5 - Very good | 29 September 2021 |
| Fellows Manufacturers/packers | 1.0 miles away | 5 - Very good | 21 November 2024 |
| Ardingly Cafe Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 1.0 miles away | 5 - Very good | 3 June 2024 |
| The Royal British Legion Pub/bar/nightclub | 1.0 miles away | 5 - Very good | 10 September 2021 |
Questions about Black Hut Cafe
What is Black Hut Cafe's food hygiene rating?
Black Hut Cafe has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Mid Sussex Council on 8 August 2023.
Is Black Hut Cafe 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 restaurant to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was Black Hut Cafe last inspected?
Black Hut Cafe was last inspected on 8 August 2023, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Mid Sussex Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Black Hut Cafe?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "very good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "very good", and confidence in the management of food safety "very good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Black Hut Cafe compare to other places in Mid Sussex?
83% of the 1,248 rated food businesses in Mid Sussex hold the top rating of 5, and Black Hut Cafe is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Mid Sussex Council inspects Black Hut Cafe 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 Black Hut Cafe and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Mid Sussex inspects and rates 1,364 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Mid Sussex →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.midsussex.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 →