Pepper Box Inn food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Maidstone
Pepper Box Inn 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
This is a fresh result: Pepper Box Inn was inspected on 24 August 2026, so the rating reflects what the inspector found very recently.
94% of rated food businesses in Maidstone score 4 or 5, so this is a normal, good result for the area. See all Maidstone ratings →
Address: Windmill Hill, Ulcombe, Maidstone, ME17 1LP
⚠️ The lowest-rated places near Pepper Box Inn
These food businesses close to this one were rated 0 to 2 at their last inspection, the lowest ratings. Tap any to see why.
How this rating has changed
Pepper Box Inn was re-inspected on 24 August 2026 and held its rating of 5.
| Inspected | Rating | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 24 August 2026 | 5 5 | Held |
The FSA publishes only a business's current rating. This history is our own record of what it has scored since we began watching.
How it compares in Maidstone
That puts Pepper Box Inn among the 1,147 places in Maidstone 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 | 1,147 | 83% | ← Pepper Box Inn | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 158 | 11% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 57 | 4% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 11 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 11 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 2 | <1% |
A further 66 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 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 Pepper Box Inn 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 Pepper Box Inn, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caterlink At Ulcombe Primary School School/college/university | 0.9 miles away | 5 - Very good | 12 March 2026 |
| Kings Head Pub/bar/nightclub | 1.1 miles away | 5 - Very good | 25 February 2026 |
| Chegworth Valley Juice Manufacturers/packers | 1.1 miles away | 4 - Good | 6 November 2024 |
| Caterlink At Kingswood Primary School School/college/university | 1.2 miles away | 5 - Very good | 12 February 2026 |
| Kingswood Kebab And Pizza Takeaway/sandwich shop | 1.2 miles away | 3 - Generally satisfactory | 11 December 2025 |
| Caterlink At Platts Heath County Primary School School/college/university | 1.2 miles away | 4 - Good | 29 March 2016 |
| Who'D A Thought It Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 1.3 miles away | 4 - Good | 10 March 2026 |
| Avenue Stores Retailers - other | 1.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 16 December 2013 |
Questions about Pepper Box Inn
What is Pepper Box Inn's food hygiene rating?
Pepper Box Inn has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Maidstone Council on 24 August 2026.
Is Pepper Box Inn 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 Pepper Box Inn last inspected?
Pepper Box Inn was last inspected on 24 August 2026, within the last month. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Maidstone Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Pepper Box Inn?
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 "good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Pepper Box Inn compare to other places in Maidstone?
83% of the 1,386 rated food businesses in Maidstone hold the top rating of 5, and Pepper Box Inn is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Maidstone Council inspects Pepper Box Inn 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 Pepper Box Inn 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
Maidstone inspects and rates 1,452 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Maidstone →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.maidstone.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 →