The Cottage Loaf food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Epping Forest
The Cottage Loaf 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 14 June 2021, more than 5 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 Cottage Loaf PH, Jessel Drive, Loughton, IG10 2EQ
How it compares in Epping Forest
That puts The Cottage Loaf among the 760 places in Epping Forest holding top marks, 84% 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 | 760 | 84% | ← The Cottage Loaf | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 96 | 11% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 36 | 4% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 7 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 11 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 0 | 0% |
A further 148 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 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 The Cottage Loaf 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 Cottage Loaf, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compass Group UK & Ireland School/college/university | 412 yards away | 5 - Very good | 12 March 2025 |
| Gunmakers Arms Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 28 July 2023 |
| Harrison Catering School/college/university | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 4 June 2025 |
| Green Olive Traditional fish&souvlaki Takeaway/sandwich shop | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 6 February 2026 |
| Gourmet Kebab Kitchen Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 10 March 2025 |
| ECL The Care and Wellbeing Company Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 10 July 2025 |
| Debden Store Retailers - other | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 19 November 2025 |
| Elkaz Taverna Retailers - other | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 6 February 2026 |
Questions about The Cottage Loaf
What is The Cottage Loaf's food hygiene rating?
The Cottage Loaf has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Epping Forest Council on 14 June 2021.
Is The Cottage Loaf 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 Cottage Loaf last inspected?
The Cottage Loaf was last inspected on 14 June 2021, more than 5 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Epping Forest Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Cottage Loaf?
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 "very good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does The Cottage Loaf compare to other places in Epping Forest?
84% of the 910 rated food businesses in Epping Forest hold the top rating of 5, and The Cottage Loaf is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Epping Forest Council inspects The Cottage Loaf 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 Cottage Loaf 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 Cottage Loaf is one of 214 rated food businesses in Loughton. See every hygiene rating in Loughton →
Epping Forest inspects and rates 1,058 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Epping Forest →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.eppingforestdc.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 →