Surrey · England
Festivals, fêtes and school events in Capel, Surrey
From the smell of the fryers to the last chip in the paper, a fish and chip van for your event turns food into part of your event in Capel.
- Church fêtes and fish and chip suppers
- Country shows
- Community open days
A chip van near Capel
About our fish and chip van for events in Capel
Everything is cooked as people come up, so nothing sits waiting. We’re often asked to cater community festivals and crew and volunteer catering, serving haddock and chips, cod and chips and chips.
Rural events near Capel can be a long way from anywhere to eat, so fish and chips goes down well. Everything we need comes with the van, and we pack up and leave the spot as we found it.
Who books fish and chip van for events in Capel?
It’s low-maintenance for organisers.
The van suits big events and small ones. Common bookings include:
- Sports tournaments
- Village fêtes
- Music and food festivals
- Community open days
For anyone arriving by train, the closest railway station is Ockley station, roughly 0.6 miles west of the centre.
What your quote should include
- When payment is due
- VAT, if it applies
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- How allergens are handled
DIY versus a fish and chip van
For a small group, making your own food can work. For larger numbers, or when you want hot food, a van takes the pressure off, and you get to enjoy the day.
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.
Where the van can park in Capel
A fish and chip van is a vehicle, so the spot matters, and a little planning goes a long way. These are the things we check:
- Firm, level ground for the pitch
- A clear route onto the pitch
- A wet-weather pitch on hard standing
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and the way in, and we’ll say what we think before booking.
On the menu in Capel
- Sausage and chips
- Haddock and chips
- Chips
- Curry sauce
- Mushy peas
- Cod and chips
Other occasions in Capel
Capel questions
How far is Capel from London?
Roughly 26 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
Is Capel 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.
How long will the queue be?
A short menu and staggered groups keep things moving. We will talk it through when we quote.
Can you come to a school event?
Yes, with the school’s permission for the van on site. Tell us the date and where the van would park.
Do you do crew food?
We can. Tell us how many and when, and we will quote.
What does it cost to hire the van?
The price depends on numbers, menu, service time and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
How soon do we need to book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays and Christmas party Fridays. Even at short notice, it is worth asking.
Do you fry it on site?
Yes, always. We fry to order in the van at your venue, then handed over hot from the hatch.
Food your guests will love
Sausage and chips
Sausage and chips is the go-to for anyone who isn’t a fish fan, especially with curry sauce.
Pie and chips
For a heartier option, there’s pie and chips.
Allergies and dietary needs
We take allergies seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Share pitch details
- Offer a choice of traders where you can
- Share last year’s numbers if you have them
- Set a time for helpers’ food
If we’re feeding volunteers, agree a time that suits the schedule.
Pre-selling meal tickets helps us plan.
Fairs, fêtes and events in Capel
Capel is about 5 miles south of Dorking, in Surrey. From the centre of Capel to the outskirts, the service works the same way: fresh frying, hot food from the hatch and a clear price. We take the van to all 395 towns and villages across Surrey. We serve events right across the region, from Capel to Guildford (13 miles away).
A summer fête at Church of St John the Baptist is the classic setting for a fish and chip van. School fairs, for a school like Scott Broadwood CofE Infant School, are a natural fit for a fish and chip van. Within about 3 miles is the Surrey Hills National Landscape, where events may have extra rules on vehicles and waste; we work to the site rules.
We take the van to events all over RH5. Your event could be at a house on The Street, Laundry Way and Bakers Way, as long as there is somewhere for the van. Neighbouring places where we serve events include Ockley (2 miles west), Beare Green (2 miles north), Paynes Green (2 miles south-west), Kingsfold (2 miles south) and Holmwood Corner (3 miles north). Larger places within reach include Guildford (13 miles north-west), Epsom (13 miles north), Horley (7 miles east), Redhill (9 miles north-east), Ewell (14 miles north) and Reigate (8 miles north-east).
Well-known places in the area include Horsham Hospital (5.6 miles south). The countryside around Capel includes Leith Hill and Warnham LNR.
Planners, venues and businesses
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can hold the date.
For larger numbers, tell us how long you have for food, so we can plan service to match. Sending people up in groups helps.
What affects the price in Capel
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Numbers
- Cod, haddock or both
- Whether a minimum applies
- Parking and the way in
Distance and any road charges make a difference, so it helps to give us the postcode.
Getting an accurate quote
You do not need every detail fixed to get a quote, but these help:
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- A picture of where the van would go
- Roughly how many people, including children
- Where you’d like the van to go
Every quote is worked out for your event. Start with your date, and we will confirm whether we’re available that day.
What happens on the day
Your timings come first. If the day runs behind, we simply start frying a little later, so the food is still fresh when it is served. Summer events in Capel have daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer and about 7:05pm by late September, which helps evening trading. Winter fairs, dark by about 3:55pm, need a well-lit pitch.
- You share your date, numbers and address.
- We check access for the van and quote.
- We arrive early to park and heat the fryers.
- Fish goes into the batter and straight into the fryer, to order.
- We serve hot from the hatch and pack up when we’re done.
Before we arrive
- Let us know the serving time
- Check the way in for low branches, cables and narrow gates
- Think about a gazebo by the van in case of rain
How to get a price
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: where the van would park, how to get in, numbers and timings. Photos of the spot and the way in help. To send your details, use our quote form.
Read more
- 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