The Cardinals Error food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Tonbridge and Malling
The Cardinals Error 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 28 November 2025, 7 months ago. Councils typically re-inspect higher-risk businesses every six months to two years, with well-run, low-risk places visited least often, so this is a normal gap.
Address: Lodge Oak Lane, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 2EP
How it compares in Tonbridge and Malling
That puts The Cardinals Error among the 771 places in Tonbridge and Malling holding top marks, 80% 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 | 771 | 80% | ← The Cardinals Error | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 123 | 13% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 56 | 6% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 18 | 2% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 0 | 0% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 0 | 0% |
A further 84 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 Very 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 Cardinals Error 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 Cardinals Error, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Littleview Day Nursery Caring Premises | 200 yards away | 5 - Very good | 14 January 2026 |
| Deo's Shop 'N' Save Retailers - other | 312 yards away | 5 - Very good | 3 January 2025 |
| Independent Catering Management At Royal Rise Primary School School/college/university | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 14 November 2024 |
| Accent Catering Services At Weald Of Kent Grammar School School/college/university | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 21 May 2025 |
| Holroyd Howe At Somerhill School School/college/university | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 11 October 2024 |
| Clip N Climb Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 11 February 2026 |
| Chartwells At Tonbridge Grammar School School/college/university | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 2 December 2024 |
| Angel (Tonbridge) Indoor Bowls Association Ltd Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 6 June 2023 |
Questions about The Cardinals Error
What is The Cardinals Error's food hygiene rating?
The Cardinals Error has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Tonbridge and Malling Council on 28 November 2025.
Is The Cardinals Error 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 Cardinals Error last inspected?
The Cardinals Error was last inspected on 28 November 2025, 7 months ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Tonbridge and Malling Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Cardinals Error?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "very 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 Cardinals Error compare to other places in Tonbridge and Malling?
80% of the 968 rated food businesses in Tonbridge and Malling hold the top rating of 5, and The Cardinals Error is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Tonbridge and Malling Council inspects The Cardinals Error 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 Cardinals Error 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 Cardinals Error is one of 329 rated food businesses in Tonbridge. See every hygiene rating in Tonbridge →
Tonbridge and Malling inspects and rates 1,052 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Tonbridge and Malling →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.tmbc.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 →