Hampshire · England
Festivals, fêtes and school events in Compton, Hampshire
From the first sizzle in the fryer to the last chip, a fish and chip van for your event makes the food a highlight of your event in Compton.
- Agricultural and country shows
- Feeding event crew
- Fish and chip supper nights
A chip van near Compton
Compton events: pitches and permissions
Compton is about 3 miles south of Winchester, in Hampshire. For an event in Compton, the van can park on drives, in car parks and yards, and on firm lawns and fields in and around Compton. We take the van to 683 places across Hampshire, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 8 miles away.
For anyone arriving by train, the closest railway station is Shawford station, roughly 0.5 miles east of the centre. A school like Compton All Saints Church of England Primary School can book the van for a fair, fun run or sports day.
Here we cover the SO21 postcode area, so your event can be anywhere in it. From Field Way, Clease Way and Cliff Way or a nearby road, we can park up and fry there. We also bring the van to events in South Down (1 mile south), Shawford (1 mile east), Otterbourne (1 mile south), Twyford (1 mile east) and Oliver's Battery (2 miles north). Larger places within reach include Winchester (3 miles north), Eastleigh (4 miles south), Fareham (13 miles south-east), Andover (14 miles north-west), Totton (10 miles south-west) and Chandler's Ford (3 miles south-west).
Other landmarks nearby include Balfour Museum of Hampshire Red Cross History (2.4 miles north) and Royal Hampshire County Hospital (2.8 miles north). Within reach you will find Shawford Down and Twyford Down.
- Nearby schools include Thornden School (2.2 miles south-west)
- Local pubs include The Bridge Inn (0.5 miles east)
Fish and chip van for events in Compton, fried fresh
The van is self-sufficient on the pitch, so we need little help from busy volunteers. Typical bookings include food for volunteers and music and food festivals, with cod and chips, sausage and chips and chips.
At a fête or show near Compton, we can bring hot food to a field. Tell us about the ground and the way in. We serve from the hatch, so every portion is hot, and the queue keeps moving.
Compton questions
Is Compton close to London?
About 63 miles from central London.
Can the van park in St. Cross Park?
Only if the landowner, normally the council, allows it. Check with them first, and tell us what they say.
Can coeliacs eat the battered fish?
Standard batter is made with wheat flour, so battered fish contains gluten. Let us know about coeliac visitors in advance, and we will be straight with you about what’s possible.
Is grass a problem?
Usually, if it’s firm and dry. After heavy rain, soft grass can be a problem for any vehicle, so have a hard-surface back-up.
What if the weather’s bad?
The weather does not stop the van, because the cooking happens inside. Very soft ground can be a problem, so plan a back-up spot on a hard surface.
How long does set-up take?
It depends on numbers and the service time. We confirm all the timings beforehand.
Do you bring everything you need?
We bring the van and everything we need to cook. You just need a suitable spot and permission.
Do you clear up afterwards?
The pitch is left as we found it. It helps to have bins near the hatch.
How it works
We arrive on time, parks where we agreed. Once the oil is hot, the first portions go out right on schedule. Winter fairs in Compton are dark by about 4:00pm, so we need a lit pitch; spring events have light until about 8:55pm by late May.
- Get in touch with the basics: when, where and roughly how many.
- Show us where the van would go, and we will confirm it works.
- Closer to the day, we confirm the arrival time and serving time.
- The van rolls up, the hatch opens and the fryers get going for your visitors.
- Once the last portion is out, we pack up and go.
Preparing for the day
- Get permission for the van from the venue
- Plan where the queue will stand
- Share the timings for the day
Get a quote
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, address, rough numbers and when you’d like to eat. We will send a clear quote that says what’s included.
Related guides
Also in Compton
A fish and chip van or other catering?
Cakes and sandwiches are popular, but hot food is a draw when it’s cool. The cost per head usually falls as numbers rise, since the van and set-up are much the same for any size. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why Compton hosts choose us
- No surprises in your quote
- Everything cooked to order at your event
- Events in Compton and across Hampshire
- Classic food your visitors already know
Read how we price and what a fish and chip van costs.
Space, access and the venue
Every site is different, so we ask about the spot and the way in when you contact us. Generally, we look for:
- A wet-weather pitch on hard standing
- The landowner’s or organiser’s permission for the van
- Room in front of the hatch for a queue that doesn’t block walkways
Not sure about the spot? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly before you book.
Popular choices
- Haddock and chips
- Sausage and chips
- Mushy peas
- Curry sauce
- Cod and chips
- Chips
A closer look at the menu
Haddock and chips
Haddock has loyal fans: sweeter and a touch firmer than cod. Tell us if you’d like to offer it.
Cod and chips
Cod has big, soft white flakes and a mild flavour, and it is the favourite in much of the south. We batter it and fry it to order.
Diets, allergies and planning
Most events have a few visitors with dietary needs. To look after them:
- Let us know about allergy rules on site
- Send us the pitch size and ground conditions
- Tell us expected visitor numbers
- Display allergens for each stall
Plan where the queue forms.
A spot near the entrance or main ring works well.
Can’t we just order from the chip shop?
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.
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.
For planners, venues and organisers
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we’ll talk you through the process. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
Parks, greens and streets generally need permission for a catering van. Ask the council or landowner early.
Prices and what affects them
Every booking is priced individually, and the price depends on a few things:
- Distance and any road charges
- The minimum booking
- The day of the week
- How long we serve
Fish and chip van prices depend on the booking. A short service and a long afternoon’s trading are very different bookings. Your quote spells it all out.
Getting an accurate quote
You do not need every detail fixed to get a quote, but it helps to know:
- The venue or postcode
- The spot you have in mind for the van
- Dietary needs, with numbers
- The date and time of the event
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many people, along with your serving time, and you’ll get a clear price. To get started, 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