Kent · England
Fish and chip van hire in Coldharbour, Kent
From the smell of the fryers to the last chip in the paper, a fish and chip van turns food into part of your event in Coldharbour.
- Gatherings after a funeral
- Fêtes, fairs and school events
- Work Christmas parties
A chip van near Coldharbour
A closer look at the menu
Gravy
Gravy brings a bit of warmth to the meal, especially in winter.
Sausage and chips
Sausage and chips is the go-to for anyone who is not a fish fan.
Fish and chip van hire in Coldharbour, cooked to order
The menu is short and classic: fish and chips, sausages and pies, plus the sides everyone expects. A short menu keeps the food fresh and the queue moving. On the menu are pie and chips, gravy and haddock and chips, and we are often booked for garden parties and summer get-togethers and christmas parties.
In a small place like Coldharbour, the van often parks on a farm track, a field or a drive. Tell us about narrow lanes or long drives and we will plan for them, and firm, dry ground is the key. Timings are planned around your event, whether that’s a first dance, a lunch break or a service time.
Nearby places to Coldharbour
More for events in Coldharbour
Planners, venues and businesses
Many venues set rules for catering vans: parking spots, arrival times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we will confirm what we can provide.
If you are planning an event on someone’s behalf, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a fête committee, we are happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It saves passing messages back and forth.
Is a fish and chip van right for your event?
Next to a hog roast, a fish and chip van gives people a choice of fish, sausage or pie, which suits guests who do not eat pork. 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.
What you get with us
- The classic sides: peas, curry sauce and gravy
- A menu almost everyone likes
- A quote that spells everything out
- Quick service from the hatch
Read our pricing and our guide to van hire costs.
What affects the price in Coldharbour
The price comes down to a few factors:
- Your choice of menu
- How far we travel
- Access and parking
- Any minimum charge
Many fish and chip vans set a minimum, because the van, fuel and travel cost the same for a small group. We will tell you up front.
Details that help
To speed things up, tell us:
- Your date and serving time
- Where the van would park
- The venue or postcode
- Any dietary needs and allergies
The quickest way to a quote is to use our quote form. Tell us about your event in Coldharbour, and we will come back with availability and a quote.
Bringing the van to Coldharbour
Coldharbour is about 2 miles north of Tonbridge, in Kent. Give us the address of your event in Coldharbour, and we will plan the route and the parking spot. Coldharbour is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent we cover. Our nearest city page is London, about 24 miles away.
If you’re organising a summer fair for a school like St Margaret Clitherow Catholic Primary School, a chip van is a crowd-pleaser. For guests coming by train, the closest railway station is Hildenborough station, roughly 1.6 miles south-west of the centre.
Wherever your event is in TN11, we can fry fresh for your guests. If your venue is just outside Coldharbour, we also cover Hildenborough (1 mile south-west), Hilden Park (1 mile south), Watt's Cross (1 mile west), Budds (1 mile north) and Stocks Green (2 miles south-west). Further out, we also take the van to Maidstone (12 miles east), Dartford (15 miles north), Sevenoaks (5 miles north-west), Royal Tunbridge Wells (6 miles south), Gravesend (15 miles north) and Northfleet (15 miles north).
A little further out are Tonbridge Castle (2.2 miles south) and The Milne Museum (2 miles south). Green spaces nearby include Tudeley Woods RSPB reserve and Barden Lake.
- Schools near Coldharbour include Hugh Christie Technology College (1.4 miles south-east)
- Pubs nearby include The Flying Dutchman Public House (1 mile south-west)
The process
Serving is straightforward: food goes from the fryer to the hatch. When service is finished, we pack up and leave the pitch tidy. Evening events need a little planning for light: in Coldharbour, sunset is around 8:50pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, but by late December it is dark by about 3:55pm.
- Start with three things: the date, the place and a rough headcount.
- A photo of the parking spot helps us check the van will fit.
- Closer to the day, we confirm the arrival time and serving time.
- We park, open the hatch and start frying for your guests.
- Once the last portion is out, we pack up and go.
Before we arrive
- Pick a flat, firm place for the van to park
- Plan where the queue will stand
- Name one person we can call on the day
How to get a price
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and serving time. We will send a clear quote that says what’s included.
Read more
Coldharbour: your questions answered
What’s the nearest station to Coldharbour?
Hildenborough station, about 1.6 miles south-west of the centre.
Can you serve after a service at Parish Church of St John?
Yes, at a nearby hall, home or venue with somewhere for the van. Churches rarely have space for a catering van, so the food is usually elsewhere. Send us the address.
Do you bring everything you need?
The van comes fully equipped to cook. You just need a suitable spot and permission.
Can we choose cod or haddock?
We serve cod and haddock; tell us which you’d like for your event.
When do you arrive?
We get there in good time to set up. We will agree arrival and serving times with you so food is ready when you want it.
What food do you serve?
Fish and chips, of course, plus sausage or pie and chips. Mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy go on the side.
Do you do anything other than fish?
There is: sausages and pies, with chips. Tell us roughly how many to expect.
What does it cost to hire the van?
It depends on numbers, the menu, how long we serve and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
DIY versus a fish and chip van
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 cooks in front of your guests instead.
Weighing up a takeaway order against booking a van? Think about numbers, timing and how hot you want the food. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Before you choose a spot
We’ll agree the van’s spot with you before the day. It needs to tick a few simple boxes:
- A lit spot if service runs after dark
- A short walk from the party
- A level, firm spot the van can drive onto
Not sure about the spot? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly.
What we serve
- Curry sauce
- Pie and chips
- Haddock and chips
- Cod and chips
- Gravy
- Sausage and chips
- Chips
- Mushy peas
Planning for dietary needs
Allergies are taken seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Put allergy details in writing
- Keep the menu short to keep the queue moving
- Have bins and napkins near the hatch
- Give us separate numbers for children
Bins and napkins near the hatch make life easier.
Bunting or festoon lights around the van make it part of the decorations.
- 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