The Eight Bells food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · East Hampshire
The Eight Bells 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 17 March 2022, more than 4 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.
96% of rated food businesses in East Hampshire score 4 or 5, so this is a normal, good result for the area. See all East Hampshire ratings →
Address: The Eight Bells 33 Church Street, Alton, GU34 2DA
How it compares in East Hampshire
That puts The Eight Bells among the 824 places in East Hampshire 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 | 824 | 84% | ← The Eight Bells | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 117 | 12% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 25 | 3% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 3 | <1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 8 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 0 | 0% |
A further 117 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 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 Eight Bells 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 Eight Bells, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allen Gallery Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 184 yards away | 5 - Very good | 29 April 2025 |
| Lemon Stone Events @ The Crown Hotel Other catering premises | 218 yards away | 5 - Very good | 19 June 2025 |
| Murat's Kebab House Takeaway/sandwich shop | 229 yards away | 5 - Very good | 17 March 2026 |
| Alton Express Retailers - other | 236 yards away | 5 - Very good | 13 March 2024 |
| Cucina Dei Sapori Other catering premises | 246 yards away | 4 - Good | 24 June 2026 |
| The King's Arms Pub/bar/nightclub | 253 yards away | 5 - Very good | 2 December 2021 |
| Heaven's Kitchen Takeaway/sandwich shop | 264 yards away | 5 - Very good | 16 February 2026 |
| Goldfinch Books Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 264 yards away | 5 - Very good | 5 June 2026 |
Questions about The Eight Bells
What is The Eight Bells's food hygiene rating?
The Eight Bells has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by East Hampshire Council on 17 March 2022.
Is The Eight Bells 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 Eight Bells last inspected?
The Eight Bells was last inspected on 17 March 2022, more than 4 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by East Hampshire Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Eight Bells?
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 "good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does The Eight Bells compare to other places in East Hampshire?
84% of the 977 rated food businesses in East Hampshire hold the top rating of 5, and The Eight Bells is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
East Hampshire Council inspects The Eight Bells 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 Eight Bells 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 Eight Bells is one of 249 rated food businesses in Alton. See every hygiene rating in Alton →
East Hampshire inspects and rates 1,094 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in East Hampshire →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.easthants.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 →