West Sussex · England
Film Set Catering for Walstead events
Bring the chip shop to your shoot in Walstead. The van arrives, the fryers go on and everything is cooked to order, so nothing sits waiting in a tray.
- Location filming
- Treat days on a long shoot
- Crew lunches at base
Planning an event in Walstead?
Common questions in Walstead
Can the van go to venues in the South Downs National Park?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules for vehicles; ask your venue. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
Is Walstead too small for a chip van?
Not at all. We serve villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and the ground.
When do you arrive?
It depends on numbers and the service time. We confirm all the timings beforehand.
Do you do anything other than fish?
Yes: sausage and chips or pie and chips. Tell us roughly how many to expect.
How quickly can you serve everyone?
That depends on numbers, menu and timing. Give us your numbers and service window, and we will plan to keep the queue moving.
Where can the van park?
Less than you might think: a drive, a car park, a yard or a firm lawn, with a clear way in. Send us a photo if you’re not sure.
Can the van come to our wrap?
Yes, and crews love it. Tell us the details.
Is everything cooked fresh?
It is. We cook inside the van, so it is fried on the spot, rather than made in advance.
About our film set catering in Walstead
On a long shoot day, a good hot lunch keeps morale up. We park at the unit base and cook to order. Popular choices include sausage and chips, cod and chips and mushy peas, and we are regularly asked to cater outside broadcasts and music video shoots.
Rural locations near Walstead can be a long way from food, so a van at base is a big help. The fryers are in the van, so the cooking happens right there at your shoot, so the batter is still crisp when it’s handed over.
- Location
- Walstead (RH16)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- Menu
- Cod and haddock, chips, sausages and pies
- Sides
- Mushy peas, curry sauce, gravy
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Page updated
- 24 October 2026
The process
We arrive in good time before you want to eat, park the van and get the fryers going. Crew generally gather round the hatch as soon as we open. Long summer days in Walstead, with light until about 9:20pm, suit evening wraps outdoors, while by late September it is nearer 7:05pm.
- Send us your date, numbers and address.
- We check the route in and send a price.
- We arrive early to park and heat the fryers.
- Everything is fried to order as the queue moves.
- We serve hot from the hatch and pack up when we’re done.
Preparing for the day
- Choose a level, firm spot for the van
- Name one person we can call on the day
- Confirm numbers and dietary needs before the day
How to get a price
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, address, numbers and serving time. To send them, use our quote form.
Related guides
Walstead for film and TV crews
Walstead is about 1 mile east of Haywards Heath, in West Sussex. For a shoot in Walstead, the van can park on drives, in car parks and yards, and on firm lawns and fields. We serve all 371 towns and villages across West Sussex. Our bookings stretch from Walstead to Brighton (12 miles away).
Historic houses near Walstead include Ockenden Manor (3.2 miles west) and Tyes Place (4.8 miles north-west). Historic houses are popular locations, and most set strict rules for vehicles, so plan the unit base with locations. Walstead is roughly 34 miles from central London. The South Downs National Park is within about 7 miles of Walstead, so check vehicle rules with locations.
For shoots in RH16, we just need to know where the van can park and a serving time. From Sage Avenue, Ivy Drive and Juniper Place or anywhere nearby, we’ll bring the van to you. With the B2111 close by, Walstead is simple for us to get to for your shoot. If your venue is just outside Walstead, we also cover Lindfield (1 mile north-west), Horsted Keynes (3 miles north-east), Ardingly (3 miles north), Furner's Green (4 miles east) and Highbrook (4 miles north). Further out, we also take the van to Crawley (9 miles north-west), Horsham (12 miles west), Burgess Hill (4 miles south-west), East Grinstead (9 miles north), Shoreham-by-Sea (14 miles south-west) and Broadfield (9 miles north-west).
Other landmarks nearby include Parish Museum (0.9 miles north-west) and Princess Royal Hospital (1.2 miles south-west). Open spaces near Walstead include Ashenground and Bolnore Woods.
- Schools near Walstead include Great Walstead School (0.7 miles east) and Oathall Community College (1 mile west)
- Local pubs include The Snowdrop Inn (under half a mile south)
Where the van can park in Walstead
No two venues are the same, so we ask about the spot and the way in when you contact us. Generally, we look for:
- The location’s agreement
- A hardstanding spot at the unit base
- A clear route to base
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before booking.
From the hatch
- Mushy peas
- Crew lunches
- Pie and chips
- Cod and chips
- Haddock and chips
- Sausage and chips
Allergies and dietary needs
A little planning makes sure everyone is looked after. Here’s how:
- Put allergy details in writing
- Ask for dietary needs on the crew info form
- Name a contact in the production office
- Send final numbers the day before
Lunch is planned around the call sheet, and a contact keeps us updated.
A gazebo by the van keeps the line dry.
Why fried-to-order beats a buffet
Ordering takeaway to a location is unreliable. A van cooks at the unit base. Larger groups typically cost less per head, since the van and set-up are much the same for any size. Give us your numbers and we will quote.
Why Walstead hosts choose us
- The classic sides: peas, curry sauce and gravy
- Cod, haddock, sausages and pies
- Hot food handed straight over
- Everything cooked to order at your event
Take a look at our prices page and what a fish and chip van costs.
Nearby places to Walstead
What else we do in Walstead
Food your guests will love
Haddock and chips
Haddock has loyal fans: sweeter and a touch firmer than cod. Tell us if you’d like to offer it.
Mushy peas
Mushy peas are made from dried marrowfat peas, soaked and cooked until soft. They’re the side most people expect.
Cannot we just order from the chip shop?
Weighing up a takeaway order against booking a van? Think about numbers, timing and how hot you want the food. We are happy to send a quote so you can compare.
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.
For planners, venues and organisers
Parks, greens and streets usually need permission for a catering van. Ask the council or landowner early.
Venues frequently have their own rules about outside caterers and vehicles: parking spots, arrival times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we’ll work through them with you.
How we price a fish and chip van for the crew
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- The minimum booking
- Parking and the way in
- Distance and any road charges
- The day of the week
Compared with a sit-down meal, a fish and chip van is often good value, because it needs no kitchen and no crockery hire. Ask us for a quote.
What we need to know
Good planning starts with a few facts. Please include:
- A picture of the parking spot
- Where the event is
- Expected numbers
- Your date and serving time
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: where the van would park, how to get in, numbers and timings. A photo of the spot helps too. To send your details, fill in our quote form.
- 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