Kent · England
Fish and chip van hire in Hartley, Kent
A menu everybody knows: cod or haddock in batter, chips, sausages and pies, with mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy. Book a fish and chip van in Hartley.
- Christmas parties
- Garden get-togethers
- Care home visits
Fish and chip van hire for Hartley events
Allergies and dietary needs
With a bit of planning, dietary needs are easier to handle. A few tips:
- Put allergy details in writing
- Tell us about vegetarian and vegan guests early
- Add an allergy question to your invitations
- Count children separately
After service, we pack up.
A chalkboard by the hatch with the menu keeps the queue moving.
Fish and chip van hire in Hartley, fried fresh
Fish and chip van hire means the chip shop comes to you. We park up, heat the fryers and cook to order, so nothing sits waiting in a tray. We are often asked to cater garden get-togethers and staff lunches and team days, with gravy, pie and chips and haddock and chips.
In a hamlet or village like Hartley, a farmyard or a neighbour’s field can make a good pitch. Mention gates and soft ground when you contact us. Food is served straight from the hatch, so every portion is hot, and the queue keeps moving.
Can’t we just order from the chip shop?
Doing the food yourself saves money, but the host ends up running around. Booking the van means hot food and no stress.
Some hosts try a takeaway order. Large orders are slow, and the food cools in the bags. A van cooks in front of your guests instead.
Hartley: your questions answered
Is Hartley close to London?
Roughly 39 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
Is Hartley too small for a chip van?
No, we come to small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
Is everything cooked fresh?
Yes. The fryers are in the van, so food is cooked there and then, rather than made in advance.
What food do you serve?
Proper fish and chips, plus sausage or pie and chips. The sides are mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy.
What is fish and chip van hire?
We arrive with the van, fry everything to order, and serve when you’re ready to eat.
Is there a non-fish option?
Sausage and chips and pie and chips are on the menu. Tell us about other diets and we will tell you what we can offer.
What do you bring?
All the cooking happens in the van. Tell us about power, water and bins at the site.
Which fish do you use?
We serve cod and haddock; tell us which you’d like for your event.
Who books fish and chip van hire in Hartley?
Everyone knows what they’re getting, which takes the worry out of feeding a mixed crowd.
Whatever brings people together, fish and chips from the hatch goes down well. We regularly serve:
- Wakes and gatherings after a funeral
- Visits to care homes and day centres
- Weddings, especially the evening
- Christmas parties
Among the historic houses close to Hartley are Scotney Castle (4.4 miles west). Historic venues frequently limit vehicles, so ask early if you are booking one.
Comparing caterers
- When payment is due
- What the van needs: space, access, power
- Whether there is a minimum
- A clear list of what’s included
How we price a fish and chip van
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- Your choice of menu
- How many people are eating
- How far we travel
- Service time
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: hours, menu, travel, minimum charge and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What we need to know
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what to include:
- The spot you have in mind for the van
- Anything awkward about the way in
- Expected numbers
- The date and when you’d like to eat
To get a price, send us your details through our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we will come back with availability and a quote.
Where the van can park in Hartley
Every site is different, so we ask about the spot and the way in before we confirm. Generally, we look for:
- A level hardstanding, drive or firm lawn
- Lighting nearby for evening events
- The site’s agreement to a catering van
Not sure about the spot? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly before you book.
On the menu in Hartley
- Gravy
- Cod and chips
- Chips
- Haddock and chips
- Mushy peas
- Sausage and chips
- Pie and chips
- Curry sauce
More for events in Hartley
What comes out of the fryer
Pie and chips
Pie and chips gives people a filling alternative to fish.
Mushy peas
Mushy peas are made from dried marrowfat peas, soaked and cooked until soft. They’re the side most people expect.
Hartley: venues, parking and local tips
Hartley is about 8 miles south-east of Paddock Wood, in Kent. Whether your event is in the middle of Hartley or on the outskirts, we offer the same service: fresh frying, hot food from the hatch and a clear price. We take the van to 922 places in Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 28 miles away.
PTAs at schools such as High Weald Academy often look for a hot-food stall for fairs and sports days. Parks such as Crane Valley typically need permission from the council or landowner for a catering van, so check first. Hartley is within about 2 miles of the High Weald National Landscape. Check your venue’s rules on catering vans.
Events anywhere in TN17 start with a parking spot for the van and a serving time. We can serve an event on streets such as Hartley Road, Campion Crescent and Hartley Court Gardens or the roads around them, as long as there is somewhere for the van. Nearby, we also serve events in Swattenden (1 mile east), Cranbrook (1 mile north-east), Baker's Cross (2 miles north-east), Gill's Green (2 miles south) and Beal's Green (2 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Maidstone (13 miles north), Royal Tunbridge Wells (11 miles west), Tonbridge (13 miles north-west), Kings Hill (14 miles north), Foley Park (14 miles north) and Paddock Wood (8 miles north-west).
Other landmarks nearby include Benenden Hospital (4.7 miles east) and Sissinghurst Castle (3.8 miles north-east).
Planners, venues and businesses
Organising a club, school or community event in Hartley? Fish and chips is a reliable crowd-pleaser. Tell us about the event and we will take it from there.
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we will explain how it works. We’re happy to liaise with facilities on parking and timings.
The process
The van needs a level, firm spot it can drive onto, close to where people will eat, which we agree with you beforehand. Evenings in Hartley stay light until about 9:15pm in June, but by late September sunset is around 7:00pm; after dark, the queue and the path to the van need good lighting.
- 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.
- Batter, fish and chips all go into the fryer as people come up.
- The pitch is left tidy when we go.
How to prepare
- Give us a contact for the day
- Have a level parking spot ready
- Plan a bit of cover near the hatch if rain is likely
How to get a price
Not sure of numbers yet? No problem: give us a rough idea and the date, and we’ll firm it up nearer the time. To start, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
- 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