Kent · England
Festivals, fêtes and school events in Chartham, Kent
We bring a fish and chip van for your event across Chartham and Kent, cooking to order on site and serving from the hatch.
- Summer fairs
- Charity fundraisers and community events
- Club open days
A chip van near Chartham
Planning the van’s spot
The van has to be able to get in and park safely, so a few things need checking. Here’s what we look for:
- A hard-standing or firm grass pitch
- A queue area clear of rides and games
- What’s available on the pitch
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and the way in, and we’ll say what we think.
On the menu in Chartham
- Mushy peas
- Sausage and chips
- Haddock and chips
- Chips
- Curry sauce
- Cod and chips
About our fish and chip van for events in Chartham
A hot-food van gives families a reason to stay longer, which is good for every other stall. For crew and volunteer catering and sports club events and race days, we can cook cod and chips, mushy peas and sausage and chips.
At a field event near Chartham, power and water may be limited; tell us what’s available and we’ll plan around it. We cook inside the van, right where your visitors are, so the batter is still crisp when it’s handed over.
Chartham: your questions answered
Can you come to a school fair in Chartham?
Yes, with the school’s permission. Send us the date and where the van would go.
Can the van go to venues in the Kent Downs National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles and ground, so check with yours. We will follow the site rules.
Can coeliacs eat the battered fish?
Not as standard: batter is usually made with wheat flour. Tell us about any coeliac visitors and we’ll explain the options before booking.
How long will the queue be?
A short menu and staggered groups keep things moving. We will talk it through when we quote.
Do you do anything other than fish?
We serve sausages and pies as well as fish. Tell us about other diets and we will tell you what we can offer.
Can you go on a lawn or field?
Normally, if it’s firm and dry. Soft, wet ground can trap any vehicle, so plan a back-up spot.
Do you do festivals?
Tell us the date and pitch details and we’ll check.
How soon do we need to book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays and Christmas party Fridays. Even at short notice, it is worth asking.
Diets, allergies and planning
We need to know about dietary needs and allergies in advance, and we’ll be straight with you about what’s possible. To get it right:
- Ensure allergen information is available
- Agree how we will be paid: pitch fee, share of takings or minimum
- Share last year’s numbers if you have them
- Tell us about the pitch
At the end, we pack down and leave the pitch clean.
A clear route for the van before the gates open avoids problems.
Working with your venue
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on arrival and serving times.
If you’re planning an event on someone’s behalf, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a fête committee, we’re happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It keeps things simple.
Places near Chartham
More for events in Chartham
DIY versus a fish and chip van
Frying for a crowd at home is not a good idea: big pans of hot oil, children and garden parties don’t mix. Leave the frying to a van built for it.
Doing the food yourself saves money, but the host ends up running around. Booking the van means hot food and no stress.
What affects the price in Chartham
Your quote will be clear. What affects it most:
- Any minimum charge
- Numbers
- Peak dates such as summer Saturdays
- Distance and any road charges
Travel, tolls and charges such as ULEZ can affect the price, so it helps to give us the postcode.
Getting an accurate quote
To speed things up, tell us:
- Where the event is
- The spot you have in mind for the van
- A photo of the parking spot
- Roughly how many people, including children
Every quote is worked out for your event. Give us your date first, and we’ll confirm whether we’re available that day.
Fairs, fêtes and events in Chartham
Chartham is about 3 miles south-west of Canterbury, in Kent. Chartham is well within our area, so your event just needs a date, a spot for the van and a serving time. We take the van to all 922 towns and villages in Kent, from the larger towns to small villages.
Church fêtes, at churches such as Church of St Mary, are a natural home for a chip van. A school like Chartham Primary School can book the van for a fair, fun run or sports day. Within about 7 miles is the Kent Downs National Landscape, where events may have extra rules on vehicles and waste; we work to the site rules.
For events in CT4, we just need to know where the van can park and a serving time. Your event could be at a house on Station Road, River Court and The Green, as long as there’s somewhere for the van. Nearby, we also serve events in Shalmsford Street (1 mile south), Mystole (1 mile south-west), Chartham Hatch (1 mile north), Garlinge Green (2 miles south) and Thanington (2 miles north-east). We also serve nearby towns such as Ashford (10 miles south-west), Canterbury (3 miles north-east), Dover (15 miles south-east), Sittingbourne (14 miles north-west), Folkestone (14 miles south-east) and Whitstable (7 miles north).
Other landmarks nearby include Chilham Castle (2.7 miles west) and Whitefriars Shopping Centre (3.1 miles north-east). Green spaces nearby include Blean Woods RSPB Reserve.
- Pubs nearby include The Artichoke Inn (less than half a mile south-east)
A chip van compared with other options
One good hot-food van can be enough at a smaller event, with cakes and teas alongside. Fish and chip van prices depend on the booking. A one-hour staff lunch is a different job from serving all afternoon at a fête. We set everything out in your quote.
Why book our van in Chartham
- Classic food your visitors already know
- Quick service from the hatch
- Nothing for you to cook or clear
- Fish and chips fried fresh on site
Read how we price and our guide to van hire costs.
How it works
There is very little for you to do on the day: show us the spot, tell us when to start, and enjoy your event. The frying and serving are down to us. Winter fairs in Chartham are dark by about 3:50pm, so pitches need lighting; in late May there is light until about 8:45pm.
- We start with a few details about your event.
- You get an availability check and a clear quote.
- We agree timings, access and the parking spot.
- We cook to order on the day for your visitors.
- Everything goes out hot from the hatch, and we pack up afterwards.
How to prepare
- Check the way in for low branches, cables and narrow gates
- Leave room in front of the hatch for a queue
- Choose a level, firm spot for the van
Getting a price
To get a price, send us your details through our quote form. Tell us about your event in Chartham, and we will come back with availability and a quote.
Planning help
About the food
Mushy peas
Mushy peas are made from dried marrowfat peas, soaked and cooked until soft. They’re the side most people expect.
Pie and chips
Pie and chips gives people a filling alternative to fish.
- 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