Kent · England
Fish and chip van hire in Ratling, Kent
A menu everybody knows: fish and chips, sausages and pies, with mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy. Book a fish and chip van in Ratling.
- Work Christmas parties
- Milestone birthday parties
- Staff lunches and team days
Fish and chip van hire in Ratling
Fish and chip van hire in Ratling, fried fresh
You can keep it simple or plan it carefully: a van that serves as people arrive, or service at a set time. We will suggest what suits your event. Whether it is weddings and evening receptions and garden get-togethers, we can cook pie and chips, sausage and chips and curry sauce and more.
In a small place like Ratling, the van often parks on a farm track, a field or a drive. Country lanes and long drives are fine if we know about them, and firm ground matters more than anything. Your quote spells out what’s included: serving times, the menu and anything else agreed, with no surprises on the day.
Ratling: venues, parking and local tips
Ratling is about 6 miles south-east of Canterbury, in Kent. Anywhere in CT3, we’ll come to your venue, home or workplace. We serve 922 places in Kent. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 6 miles away.
For guests coming by train, Adisham station, about 0.5 miles north-west, is the nearest station. School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, can book the van as a food stall. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 7 miles of Ratling. Ask your venue about vehicle access.
Events anywhere in CT3 start with a parking spot for the van and roughly how many guests. Nearby, we also serve events in Nonington (1 mile south-east), Snowdown (1 mile south), Goodnestone (1 mile north-east), Chillenden (2 miles east) and Woolage Village (2 miles south). Larger places within reach include Canterbury (6 miles north-west), Margate (13 miles north-east), Dover (8 miles south-east), Folkestone (11 miles south), Ramsgate (11 miles north-east) and Broadstairs (13 miles north-east).
A little further out are St Martins Hospital (5.2 miles north-west).
Why choose fish and chip van hire in Ratling?
There’s no kitchen needed, so it is at home in car parks, yards and fields where other catering struggles.
Here are some of the occasions we serve in Ratling and Kent:
- Company team days
- Village fêtes and school fairs
- Summer garden parties
- Weddings, especially the evening
After a service at St Peter, the van can be waiting at a nearby hall or house.
Questions to ask before you book
- How allergens are handled
- How late numbers can change
- Whether travel is included
- The van’s size and access needs
Places near Ratling
Also in Ratling
Food your guests will love
Cod and chips
For many people, cod and chips is the definitive version. Fried to order in the van, it goes out hot and crisp.
Gravy
Chips and gravy is a favourite in the north and the Midlands, and it’s lovely with a pie.
Space, access and the venue
A good parking spot makes the whole thing easier. We look for:
- Permission from the venue or landowner for the van
- Light near the van and the queue for evening service
- A clear area by the serving hatch
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and the way in, and we will say what we think.
On the menu in Ratling
- Pie and chips
- Sausage and chips
- Cod and chips
- Gravy
- Haddock and chips
- Curry sauce
- Mushy peas
- Chips
Looking after everyone
We need to know about dietary needs and allergies in advance, and we’ll tell you honestly what we can offer. To make it work smoothly:
- Plan bins near the queue
- Keep the menu short to keep the queue moving
- Send allergies to us in writing
- Let us know if anyone has coeliac disease
You shouldn’t have to worry about the food on the day. We park, set up, fry and serve, and stay in touch about any changes.
Let everyone know when the food is ready, so they do not miss out.
A chip van compared with other options
With a barbecue, somebody ends up cooking all afternoon. With a van, the host gets to enjoy the day. Travel, tolls and charges such as ULEZ can affect the price, so it helps to give us the postcode.
Why Ratling hosts choose us
- Everything cooked to order at your event
- The queue at the hatch gets people talking
- No kitchen needed
- Served hot, straight from the hatch
See our pricing and the cost guide.
Organising for someone else?
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on arrival and serving times.
For repeat bookings, such as regular staff lunches or annual fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Common questions in Ratling
Is Ratling too small for a chip van?
Not at all. We serve villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and parking.
Do you come to venues in the Kent Downs National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules for vehicles; ask your venue. We will work to whatever the site needs.
When do you arrive?
It depends on numbers and the service time. We agree arrival, serving and finishing times with you before the day.
Is a chip van good for a large crowd?
It can be. Tell us your numbers and how long you have for food, and we’ll plan it with you.
Where do you take the van?
London and South East England: Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight, including Ratling.
What if the weather’s bad?
We cook inside the van, so rain does not stop us. Guests will appreciate cover near the hatch.
How long will the queue be?
That depends on numbers, menu and timing. Give us your numbers and service window, and we’ll plan to keep the queue moving.
Can you serve children?
Of course. Children usually love sausage and chips. Include children in your numbers.
What affects the price in Ratling
There’s nothing hidden: the quote reflects:
- Numbers
- The day of the week
- The menu and how many choices
- Any minimum charge
Fish and chip van prices depend on the booking. A short service and a long afternoon’s trading are very different bookings. We set everything out in your quote.
Getting an accurate quote
You do not need every detail fixed to get a quote, but these help:
- How to get in: gates, lanes and ground
- A photo of the parking spot
- Where the event is
- The date and time of the event
Each quote is put together for your event. Start with your date, and we will check availability right away.
How the day works
It is a relaxed, well-organised set-up. Arrival and serving times are agreed beforehand, set up where we have agreed, and get on with frying and serving. Planning an evening event in Ratling? Sunset is around 8:45pm in late May, 9:15pm at midsummer and 7:00pm in late September; after dark, the queue and the path to the van need good lighting.
- 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.
- We cook to order on the day for your guests.
- We serve from the hatch, then leave the pitch tidy.
Preparing for the day
- Pick a flat, firm place for the van to park
- Give us a contact for the day
- Give us your final numbers and allergies
Ask for a quote
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: where the van would park, how to get in, numbers and timings. A picture of the spot helps too. To send your details, use our quote form.
Read more
- 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