Ben Howkins & Son food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · Milton Keynes
Ben Howkins & Son holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the shop met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 6 October 2016, more than 9 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: Mannings Farm, Common Street, Ravenstone, MK46 5AS
How it compares in Milton Keynes
That puts Ben Howkins & Son among the 1,755 places in Milton Keynes holding top marks, 77% 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 | 1,755 | 77% | ← Ben Howkins & Son | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 360 | 16% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 111 | 5% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 30 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 14 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 1 | <1% |
A further 236 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 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 Ben Howkins & Son 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 Ben Howkins & Son, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cowpers Oak Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.9 miles away | 5 - Very good | 22 January 2025 |
| Stoke Goldington School/college/university | 1.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 23 January 2025 |
| The Fruity Farmer Retailers - other | 1.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 7 June 2017 |
| Eakley Manor Farm Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 1.8 miles away | 5 - Very good | 1 May 2026 |
| Eakley Manor Farm Events Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 1.8 miles away | 5 - Very good | 8 May 2024 |
| Park House Caring Premises | 1.8 miles away | 5 - Very good | 17 November 2025 |
| Ousedale School (Aramark) School/college/university | 2.1 miles away | 5 - Very good | 11 September 2025 |
| Ousedale School Olney Pod (Aramark) School/college/university | 2.1 miles away | 5 - Very good | 11 September 2025 |
Questions about Ben Howkins & Son
What is Ben Howkins & Son's food hygiene rating?
Ben Howkins & Son has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Milton Keynes Council on 6 October 2016.
Is Ben Howkins & Son 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 shop to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was Ben Howkins & Son last inspected?
Ben Howkins & Son was last inspected on 6 October 2016, more than 9 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Milton Keynes Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Ben Howkins & Son?
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 "very good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Ben Howkins & Son compare to other places in Milton Keynes?
77% of the 2,271 rated food businesses in Milton Keynes hold the top rating of 5, and Ben Howkins & Son is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Milton Keynes Council inspects Ben Howkins & Son 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 Ben Howkins & Son and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Milton Keynes inspects and rates 2,507 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Milton Keynes →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.milton-keynes.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 →