Reading · England
Fish and Chip Van Hire for Fords Farm events
Planning a fish and chip van in Fords Farm? The van comes to your venue, home or workplace and fry everything fresh on the spot.
- Village fêtes and school fairs
- Christmas parties
- Summer garden parties
Fish and chip van hire in Fords Farm
Planning the van’s spot
The right spot keeps everyone safe and the service smooth. We need:
- A short walk from the party
- Light near the van and the queue for evening service
- A clear way in, with no low branches, cables or narrow gates
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
What we serve
- Pie and chips
- Mushy peas
- Chips
- Cod and chips
- Curry sauce
- Gravy
- Sausage and chips
- Haddock and chips
Fish and chip van hire for your event in Fords Farm
Because the cooking is in the van, the weather does not stop us. It’s a dependable choice for events in any season. On the menu are gravy, curry sauce and cod and chips, and we are regularly asked to cater visits to care homes and day centres and big birthdays.
In and around Fords Farm, homes and village halls are common choices. If access is tight, we will plan around it. We plan the timings around your day, so the food is ready when you want to eat.
A fish and chip van or other catering?
Cold buffets are easy but forgettable, and there is nothing warming on a chilly day. Fish and chips is fried to order and served hot. There is no one-size-fits-all price for a fish and chip van. A one-hour staff lunch is a different job from serving all afternoon at a fête. Your quote spells it all out.
Why Fords Farm hosts choose us
- Hot food handed straight over
- Cod, haddock, sausages and pies
- A clear quote before you book
- Events in Fords Farm and across Reading
See how we price and our guide to van hire costs.
Questions from Fords Farm
Could you trade in Calcot Park?
Only if the landowner, generally the council, allows it. Check with them first.
Which station is closest to Fords Farm?
The closest is Reading Green Park station, roughly 1.4 miles away.
Can you park on the road outside?
Only in a legal space, or with the council’s permission. Ask your council early.
Is there a non-fish option?
There is: sausages and pies, with chips. Give us a rough idea of numbers.
Can you serve children?
Yes. Sausage and chips is a favourite with children. Include children in your numbers.
Do you need power or water?
Somewhere suitable to park, with permission. Tell us whether there’s power or water nearby and we will take it from there.
Can you go on a lawn or field?
Generally, if it is firm and dry. Soft, wet ground can trap any vehicle, so plan a back-up spot.
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.
Takeaway run or book a van?
Deep-frying for lots of people at home is risky: big pans of hot oil, children and garden parties do not mix. Leave the frying to a van built for it.
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.
How it works
We do not cook ahead. Each portion is battered and fried as it’s ordered, which is why it tastes like it does at the seaside. Light matters for evening service: around Fords Farm, it stays light until about 9:25pm at midsummer, but by late December it’s dark by about 3:55pm.
- First, tell us about your event.
- We check the date and where the van will park, then send a quote.
- We agree timings, access and the parking spot.
- On the day, we park up and fry fresh for your guests.
- Everything goes out hot from the hatch, and we pack up afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Check the venue or landowner is happy for the van to park
- Choose a level, firm spot for the van
- Tell us when you want to eat
Get a quote
The quickest way to a quote is to use our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we will check the date and send a price.
Related guides
Why choose fish and chip van hire in Fords Farm?
There’s no kitchen needed, so it is at home in car parks, yards and fields where plated meals are hard.
Almost any gathering works with a fish and chip van. People in Fords Farm book the van for occasions like:
- Fish and chip days at care homes
- Weddings and evening receptions
- Christmas parties
- Summer garden parties
Among the historic houses close to Fords Farm are Mapledurham House (3.1 miles north). Estates like these tend to have strict rules for vans, so check before booking.
Questions to ask before you book
- The cancellation terms
- What the price includes, item by item
- How long service runs, and what happens if you overrun
- Payment terms and deposit
What affects the price in Fords Farm
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- Distance and any road charges
- The minimum booking
- The menu and how many choices
- Numbers
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
For a quote, it helps to have:
- The address or venue name
- Your date and serving time
- A photo of the parking spot
- Expected numbers
We only need a few details to quote: date, address, numbers and serving time. To send them, fill in our quote form.
Planning a chip van in Fords Farm
Fords Farm is about 2 miles west of Reading, in Reading. Bookings in Fords Farm come in all shapes and sizes, but it always starts the same way: somewhere to park, a time to serve and fresh frying. Fords Farm is one of 34 towns and villages in Reading we cover.
School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Kennet Valley Primary School, can book the van as a food stall. Thinking of using Calcot Park? Parks normally need the owner’s permission, frequently the council’s, before a catering van can park or trade.
Anywhere in RG30 and RG31, we can bring the van to you. From Low Lane, Mill Lane and Bath Road or a nearby road, we can park up and fry there. For events just outside Fords Farm, we cover Horncastle (1 mile north), Southcote (1 mile east), Burghfield Bridge (1 mile south), Beansheaf Farm (1 mile west) and Calcot (1 mile west). Larger places within reach include Caversham (4 miles north-east), Shinfield (4 miles south-east), Arborfield Garrison (7 miles south-east), Caversham Heights (3 miles north-east), Whitley Wood (3 miles south-east) and Sonning Common (6 miles north).
Well-known places in the area include Battle Hospital (1.7 miles north-east) and Beaumys Castle (4.8 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Fobney Island Wetland Reserve and South Lake.
- Schools near Fords Farm include Prospect School (0.5 miles north-east) and Elvian School (1.1 miles east)
- Pubs nearby include The Cunning Man pub (0.6 miles south)
What comes out of the fryer
Haddock and chips
Haddock has a slightly sweeter flavour and a firmer flake. It’s the traditional favourite in Scotland and much of the north.
Curry sauce
Some people won’t eat chips without curry sauce, so we bring it along.
Also near Fords Farm
What else we do in Fords Farm
Planners, venues and businesses
Having the party at home? Send a picture of where the van would park, and we’ll tell you honestly whether it works.
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers and vehicles: where a van can park, access times and the paperwork they want. Tell us what your venue needs and we will confirm what we can provide.
- 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