Hampshire · England
Film Set Catering for Downton events
Bring the chip shop to your shoot in Downton. We park up, heat the fryers and cook to order, so every portion goes out hot.
- Shoots on location
- Wrap celebrations
- Seaside and period locations
Fresh fish and chips in Downton
Location catering around Downton
Downton is about 3 miles west of Lymington, in Hampshire. Give us the address of your shoot in Downton, and we’ll plan the route and the parking spot before the day. We take the van to 683 places in Hampshire, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 16 miles away.
Crew coming by rail can use the station: the nearest station is New Milton station, about 2 miles north-west. The New Forest National Park is within about 6 miles of Downton, so check vehicle rules with locations. With the sea within about 4 miles, coastal shoots need a sheltered base, so plan where crew will queue.
We serve shoots across SO41. We can serve a shoot on streets such as Hordle Lane and Shorefield Road, wherever the van can park. If your venue is just outside Downton, we also cover Leagreen (1 mile east), Hordle (1 mile north), Ashley (2 miles north-west), Barton on Sea (2 miles west) and New Milton (2 miles north-west). Further out, we also take the van to Totton (13 miles north), Lymington (3 miles east), Hythe (13 miles north-east), Ringwood (10 miles north-west), Dibden Purlieu (12 miles north-east) and Marchwood (13 miles north-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Lymington New Forest Hospital (3.7 miles north-east) and Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum (2.9 miles north-west). Open spaces near Downton include Milford on Sea LNR.
- Nearby schools include The Arnewood School (2.1 miles west)
How our film set catering works in Downton
A chip van is a popular crew treat on a long shoot, alongside regular catering. On the menu are haddock and chips, pie and chips and mushy peas, and we are often booked for event crews and crew morale days.
Near Downton, crews may be miles from anywhere to eat, so a van at base is a big help. We cook inside the van, right where your crew are, so the batter is still crisp when it is handed over.
Events we cater in Downton
It works in any weather, which matters on location.
In Downton and nearby, the van turns up at all sorts of events. Popular bookings include:
- Outside broadcasts
- Wrap celebrations
- Unit base lunches
- Period dramas on location
Historic houses near Downton include Highcliffe Castle (4.2 miles west). Historic houses are popular locations, and most set strict rules for vehicles, so plan the unit base with locations.
Comparing caterers
- How many hours the van serves
- If the price includes VAT
- What the price includes, item by item
- How allergens are handled
Can’t we just order from the chip shop?
Ordering in from a local chip shop is an option. The problem is timing: big orders take a long time, and the food is cooling while it travels. A van solves that by cooking on site.
Not sure whether to order in or book a van? Think about numbers, timing and how hot you want the food. We’re happy to send a quote so you can compare.
What comes out of the fryer
Cod and chips
For many people, cod and chips is the definitive version. Cooked fresh at the hatch, it goes out hot and crisp.
Gravy
Chips and gravy is a favourite in the north and the Midlands, and it goes perfectly with a pie.
Also near Downton
More for events in Downton
Working with your venue
Organising a club, school or community event in Downton? A fish and chip van draws people in and almost everyone likes it. Give us the details and we will suggest how it could work.
For larger numbers, tell us how long you have for food, so we can plan how to keep the queue short. Sending people up in groups helps.
What happens on the day
Here’s how the day generally runs: the van arrives and we set up, the fryers heat up, and food goes out hot when you’re ready to eat. Sunset in Downton is about 8:55pm in late May, 9:25pm at midsummer and 7:10pm in late September; for early or late service, base needs lighting.
- Tell us what you are planning and when you’d like to eat.
- We come back with availability and a clear price.
- We agree exactly where the van parks, and how it gets in.
- On the day, everything is cooked to order, so nothing sits in a hot cabinet.
- We leave the spot as we found it.
How to prepare
- Send us final numbers and any allergies in good time
- Pick a flat, firm place for the van to park
- Clear the route for the van
How to get a price
Planning a fish and chip van for the crew in Downton? Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll reply with a clear price. Just fill in our quote form.
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Diets, allergies and planning
We need to know about dietary needs and allergies in advance, and we’ll tell you honestly what we can offer. To get it right:
- Send final numbers the day before
- Tell us about coeliac crew specifically
- Send the unit base address and directions
- Collect diets and allergies with crew details
We set up at the unit base ahead of lunch.
Pre-orders from the crew help on tight breaks.
How we price a fish and chip van for the crew
The same numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- The day of the week
- Parking and the way in
- How long we serve
- How far we travel
A chip van often compares well with a plated meal, as there’s no kitchen to hire and nothing to wash up. Ask us for a quote.
Getting an accurate quote
When you get in touch, it helps to tell us:
- Where the event is
- Allergies and diets you know about
- Anything awkward about the way in
- Expected numbers
Not sure of numbers yet? That’s fine: tell us the basics about your shoot, and we’ll quote on that. Start when you’re ready: send us your details through our quote form.
Your questions about a fish and chip van for the crew in Downton
What about events near the coast?
Yes. Wind doesn’t affect the fryers, but plan a sheltered spot for the queue.
Can the van go to venues in the New Forest National Park?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles and ground, so check with yours. We will follow the site rules.
Do you have allergen information?
Yes, we can tell you which allergens are in each item. Battered fish contains fish and, in standard batter, gluten. Tell us about allergies in advance.
Can you go on a lawn or field?
It depends on the ground. Tell us about it when you enquire, and send a picture if you can.
How long will the queue be?
A short menu and staggered groups keep things moving. Tell us your timings and we will advise.
Do you do anything other than fish?
Sausage and chips and pie and chips are on the menu. Let us know about any other dietary needs and we will tell you what we can offer.
What if we only have street parking?
Only where it’s legal to park, or with a council parking suspension or road closure. Ask your council early.
What’s on the menu?
The classics: cod or haddock and chips, sausages and pies, with mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy. Our menu has the details.
Space, access and the venue
No two venues are the same, so we ask about the spot and the way in when you get in touch. In general, we need:
- The location’s agreement
- A lit spot for dark mornings or evenings
- A route in the van can manage, with no low branches or tight lanes
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
On the menu in Downton
- Pie and chips
- Mushy peas
- Sausage and chips
- Haddock and chips
- Cod and chips
- Crew lunches
- Fried fresh to order in the van at your event
- Cod, haddock and chips, sausages and pies
- The van comes to you: homes, venues, workplaces and fields
- Served at the time you choose, from the hatch