Surrey · England
Fish and chip van hire in Epsom Downs, Surrey
Fish and chip van hire in Epsom Downs: fish and chips cooked fresh in the van, then handed over hot from the hatch at the time you choose.
- Festive get-togethers
- Weddings and evening receptions
- Staff thank-you lunches
Book the van in Epsom Downs
Fish and chip van hire in Epsom Downs, fried fresh
If the van can park there, we can fry there: a driveway, a car park, a yard or a firm field. Popular choices include mushy peas, gravy and curry sauce, and we’re regularly asked to cater weddings, especially the evening and festive get-togethers.
For a rural spot like Epsom Downs, the setting does plenty of the work. Tell us about gates, tracks and the ground. We cook inside the van, right where your guests are, so the batter is still crisp when it’s handed over.
Epsom Downs: your questions answered
What’s the nearest station to Epsom Downs?
Epsom Downs station, in Epsom Downs itself.
Is Epsom Downs 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.
What food do you serve?
Fish and chips, of course, with sausages and pies for anyone who doesn’t want fish. The sides are mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy.
How far ahead should we book?
The sooner the better. Popular dates book up first, so get in touch early.
Is grass a problem?
It depends on the ground. Tell us about it when you enquire, and send a picture if you can.
Is it a full meal?
Yes. A portion of fish, chips and peas is a proper meal.
What if the weather’s bad?
We cook inside the van, so rain does not stop us. It’s worth planning some cover for the queue.
Do you bring everything you need?
All the cooking happens in the van. Let us know what’s available at the site.
Planning a chip van in Epsom Downs
Epsom Downs is about 1 mile south-east of Epsom, in Surrey. We cover Epsom Downs as standard, so your event just needs a date, a spot for the van and a serving time. Epsom Downs is one of 395 towns and villages in Surrey where we bring the van. We serve events right across the region, from Epsom Downs to London (about 14 miles away).
Parks such as Priest Hill normally need permission from the council or landowner for a catering van, so check first. For a fundraiser at a school like Warren Mead Infant School, the van can trade from a pitch agreed with the school. The Surrey Hills National Landscape is within about 6 miles of Epsom Downs. Ask your venue about vehicle access.
Anywhere in KT17, we can fry fresh for your guests, from busy streets to quiet lanes. We can serve an event on streets such as Longdown Lane South, Bunbury Way and Burgh Heath Road or the roads around them, wherever the van can park. If your venue is just outside Epsom Downs, we also cover Nork (1 mile east), North Looe (1 mile north), Great Burgh (1 mile south-east), Tattenham Corner (1 mile south) and Langley Vale (1 mile south-west). Larger places within reach include Guildford (15 miles west), Woking (14 miles west), Horley (10 miles south), Redhill (7 miles south-east), Egham (15 miles north-west) and Reigate (6 miles south).
Other landmarks nearby include Epsom General Hospital (1.3 miles west) and The Ashley Centre (1.3 miles north-west). Within reach you will find Colley Hill and Cuddington Meadows.
- Schools near Epsom Downs include Laine Theatre Arts (1.2 miles north-west) and The Beacon School (1.3 miles east)
- Local pubs include Derby Arms (0.7 miles south-west)
Nearby places to Epsom Downs
Other occasions in Epsom Downs
The process
Here’s how the day typically runs: we arrive, park up and set up, the oil comes up to temperature, and food goes out hot at the agreed time. In Epsom Downs, the sun sets at about 9:20pm in late June and about 7:05pm in late September, so summer evening service is normally in daylight. In December it’s dark by about 3:55pm, so winter events need lighting by the van.
- First, the plan: what, where and what time.
- You hear back on the date and the price.
- The van’s spot is fixed in advance, and how it gets in.
- On the day, everything is cooked to order, so nothing sits in a hot cabinet.
- The pitch is left tidy when we go.
How to prepare
- Clear the route for the van
- Plan a bit of cover near the hatch if rain is likely
- Let us know the serving time
How to get a price
Each quote is put together for your event. Start with your date, and we’ll confirm whether we are available that day.
Related guides
DIY versus a fish and chip van
Doing the food yourself saves money, but the host ends up running around. With a fish and chip van, you get hot food without the work.
Ordering from a local shop? Call ahead and collect at the last minute. For a crowd, a van is usually simpler.
The menu, dish by dish
Sausage and chips
For anyone who doesn’t fancy fish, there’s sausage and chips, and it’s a favourite with children.
Mushy peas
Mushy peas are made from dried marrowfat peas, soaked and cooked until soft. They’re the classic side with fish and chips.
Looking after everyone
Allergies are taken seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Give us separate numbers for children
- Tell us about coeliac guests specifically
- Put bins and napkins by the van
- Tell us about vegetarian and vegan guests early
Fish and chips is at its best fresh from the fryer, so we fry to order as the queue moves.
Put the menu up by the hatch so people decide while they wait.
What the van needs
We’ll be honest if a spot will not work, and suggest an alternative. What matters most:
- Space for people to queue at the hatch
- Somewhere close to where people will eat
- Lighting nearby for evening events
Not sure about the spot? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly before booking.
Popular choices
- Haddock and chips
- Sausage and chips
- Pie and chips
- Cod and chips
- Chips
- Mushy peas
- Curry sauce
- Gravy
What affects the price in Epsom Downs
Your quote will be clear. The main things that affect it are:
- Whether a minimum applies
- How many people are eating
- The day of the week
- Service time
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. Your quote spells it all out.
What we need to know
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what to include:
- The venue or postcode
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Access details such as gates and narrow lanes
- Where the van would park
We quote for each event separately, based on your numbers, timings and travel. For a quote, send us your details through our quote form.
Events we cater in Epsom Downs
It needs no kitchen, so it’s at home in car parks, yards and fields where plated meals are hard.
Here are some of the occasions we serve:
- Weddings, especially the evening
- Garden get-togethers
- Staff lunches and team days
- Gatherings after a funeral
Historic houses near Epsom Downs include Fitznells Manor (2.1 miles north) and Nonsuch Mansion (2.6 miles north). If your event is at a historic house or estate, check its rules on vehicles and caterers early.
Comparing caterers
- The service time, and the cost of running over
- How allergens are handled
- Whether travel is included
- When payment is due
Is a fish and chip van right for your event?
Next to a hog roast, a chip van offers fish, sausages and pies rather than one dish, which suits guests who do not eat pork. Dates make a difference: summer Saturdays and December Fridays are the busiest days of the year. Ask about your date early.
Why Epsom Downs hosts choose us
- A clear quote before booking
- Nothing for you to cook or clear
- Fried fresh, not kept warm
- Bookings across Surrey, including Epsom Downs
Take a look at how we price and our guide to van hire costs.
- 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