A film crew working on a large studio set with lights

Portsmouth · England

Film and TV set catering in Portsea, Portsmouth

Hot, crisp and cooked while you wait: a fish and chip van for the crew in Portsea and across Portsmouth.

Lunch at the unit base
Fashion shoots on location
Location filming

Planning an event in Portsea?

DIY versus a fish and chip van

You could do a chip-shop run for everyone yourself, but it rarely works for a crowd. By the time you’ve queued, paid and driven back, the batter has gone soft. A van fries it right there, so it is crisp.

A DIY buffet works for small groups. For bigger numbers, a van makes life easier, and nobody has to miss the shoot.

Film set catering in Portsea, cooked to order

Seaside and period locations suit a fish and chip van perfectly. We serve mushy peas, sausage and chips and cod and chips, and we’re regularly asked to cater wrap parties and crew lunches at base.

For a location shoot near Portsea, base might be in a field or farmyard, so ground conditions matter. You will know what’s included before you book: the date, the service time and the menu.

Battered fish and chips with a lemon wedge in a takeaway tray

Location: Portsea (PO1, PO12, PO5)
Area hub: Portsmouth
From the fryer: Cod, haddock, chips, sausages, pies
Sides: Mushy peas, curry sauce, gravy
Quotes: Contact us for a quote
Updated: 24 October 2026

How it works

If the plan changes on the day, a quick word is all it takes: we can start a little later or slow the pace to suit your shoot. Daylight is short on winter shoots near Portsea: sunset is about 4:00pm, so lunch at base is often in daylight but a wrap meal is not.

We start with a few details about your shoot.
We check the date and where the van will park, then send a quote.
Timings and the van’s spot are agreed in advance.
On the day, we park up and fry fresh for the crew.
We serve from the hatch, then leave the pitch tidy.

Preparing for the day

Name one person we can call on the day
Plan a bit of cover near the hatch if rain is likely
Get permission for the van from the venue

Ask for a quote

Planning a fish and chip van for the crew in Portsea? Tell us what you have in mind and we will reply with a clear price. Just fill in our quote form.

Tell us about your event

Related guides

Planners, venues and businesses

If your event is in a public place, such as a park or a street, check what permission you need first. Ask the council or landowner early.

Organising a club, school or community event in Portsea? A fish and chip van draws people in and almost everyone likes it. Tell us about the event and we’ll take it from there.

What comes out of the fryer

Pie and chips

Pie and chips gives people a filling alternative to fish.

Cod and chips

For many people, cod and chips is the definitive version. Cooked fresh at the hatch, it goes out hot and crisp.

Why fried-to-order beats a buffet

A wrap party at a venue costs more. A van makes a relaxed wrap. Got a budget? Let us know, and we will suggest a menu and timing to match. Keeping the menu short is normally the best value.

Why book with us

Classic food your crew already know
No kitchen needed
Events in Portsea and across Portsmouth
Fish and chips fried fresh on site

Take a look at our pricing and our guide to van hire costs.

Who books film set catering in Portsea?

It is self-contained, just a spot at the unit base.

Whatever the occasion in Portsea, a chip van is a crowd-pleaser. We are often booked for:

Period dramas on location
Shoots on location
Event crews
Commercials and music videos

For cast and crew travelling by train, Portsmouth Harbour station is in Portsea itself.

What to look for in a quote

The cancellation terms
Exactly what’s included in the price
Whether travel is included
When final numbers are due

Choosing a fish and chip van

Allergies and dietary needs

Dietary needs are easiest to plan with some notice. Our advice:

Agree how the base is left
Give us a map or what3words for base
Send allergies to us in writing
Update numbers if they change

We take our used oil and waste with us.

Bins at base keep the location clean.

How we price a fish and chip van for the crew

Fish and chip van pricing is simple once we know the basics:

Cod, haddock or both
Whether a minimum applies
How long we serve
The day of the week

Distance and any road charges make a difference, so tell us exactly where your shoot is.

Details that help

To check availability and price, we need:

Roughly how many people, including children
Access details such as gates and narrow lanes
Where the event is
The spot you have in mind for the van

Still finalising the details? That is fine: give us a rough idea and the date, and we will firm it up nearer the time. Start when you are ready: send us your details through our quote form.

Common questions in Portsea

How far is Portsea from London?

About 65 miles from central London, and well within our area.

Which station is closest to Portsea?

Portsea has its own station: Portsmouth Harbour station.

Can you serve children?

Children are very welcome. Let us know numbers, and we’ll plan for them.

Can the van come to our wrap?

We do. It’s a great way to end a shoot.

What does it cost to hire the van?

It depends on numbers, the menu, how long we serve and travel. Tell us about your shoot and we will send a quote.

How fast is service?

It depends on numbers, the menu and how people arrive. Tell us your numbers and how long you have for food, and we will plan to keep the queue moving.

Is the food cooked at the event?

Yes, always. Everything is fried fresh in the van, then handed over hot from the hatch.

What does the van need?

A level, firm spot it can drive onto, close to where people will eat, with room for a queue at the hatch. Tell us about gates, lanes and soft ground.

Shooting in Portsea: unit bases and access

Portsea is about 1 mile south-west of Portsmouth, in Portsmouth. Across the PO1 area, we can fry fresh for your crew. Portsea is one of 19 towns and villages in Portsmouth where we bring the van. Our bookings stretch from Portsea to Southampton (15 miles away).

Portsea is roughly 65 miles from central London. With the sea within about 2 miles, coastal shoots need a sheltered base, so plan where crew will queue.

This part of Portsmouth takes in PO1, PO12 and PO5. That could mean a shoot at a home on Main Road, Park Road and Scott Road or the roads around them, as long as there’s somewhere for the van. Nearby, we also serve shoots in Portsmouth Point (1 mile south), Clayhall (2 miles south-west), Haslar (2 miles south-west), Alverstoke (2 miles south-west) and Privett (2 miles west). Further out, we also take the van to Hilsea (3 miles north-east), Wymering (4 miles north-east), Paulsgrove (4 miles north), Cosham (3 miles north-east), Drayton (4 miles north-east) and Farlington (5 miles north-east).

Nearby you’ll also find Tricorn Centre (0.8 miles east) and Southsea Castle (1.6 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Milton Locks and Portsdown Hill.

Schools near Portsea include St Jude's CofE Primary School (0.7 miles south-east) and Charter Academy (0.8 miles east)
Local pubs include The Ship & Castle pub (under half a mile west)
Local facilities include Southsea (1.3 miles south-east)