Surrey · England
Funeral and Wake Catering for Abinger Hammer events
From the smell of the fryers to the last chip in the paper, fish and chips for the wake turns food into part of your wake in Abinger Hammer.
- Memorial gatherings
- Gatherings at a village hall or club
- Family gatherings after a burial or cremation
Book the van in Abinger Hammer
Funeral and wake catering for your wake in Abinger Hammer
We serve wakes at homes, halls, clubs and venues, wherever the van can park. On the menu are haddock and chips, sausage and chips and cod and chips, and we’re regularly asked to cater small family memorials and gatherings at a village hall or club.
For a wake near Abinger Hammer, a farmhouse or village hall frequently works well. The fryers are in the van, so the cooking happens right there at your wake, and the food reaches them hot and crisp.
What the van needs
We’ll agree the van’s spot with you before the day. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- A clear area by the serving hatch
- A clear way in, with no low branches, cables or narrow gates
- The site’s agreement to a catering van
Not sure about the spot? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly before you book.
What we serve
- Gravy
- Cod and chips
- Mushy peas
- Haddock and chips
- Pie and chips
- Sausage and chips
Abinger Hammer: your questions answered
How far is Abinger Hammer from London?
About 24 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
Do you come to venues in the Surrey Hills 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.
What if the weather’s bad?
The weather doesn’t stop the van, because the fryers are inside. Soft ground after heavy rain is the bigger issue, so have a hard-surface spot in mind.
How long are you on site?
We arrive well before service to park and heat the fryers. We will agree arrival and serving times with you.
Do you bring everything you need?
We bring the van and everything we need to cook. You just need a suitable spot and permission.
How do we estimate numbers?
A rough estimate is enough to start. Funeral directors can advise from experience.
Can you cater for allergies?
Tell us about allergies when you book, and we will give you the allergen information.
Is the food cooked at the event?
Yes, always. We fry to order in the van at your venue, and serve straight from the hatch.
Wakes in Abinger Hammer: venues and practical details
Abinger Hammer is about 5 miles west of Dorking, in Surrey. From the centre of Abinger Hammer to the outskirts, the service works the same way: fish and chips fried to order, served hot and quoted clearly. Abinger Hammer is one of 395 towns and villages in Surrey where we bring the van. You can also see our page for Guildford, about 6 miles away.
The Surrey Hills National Landscape is within about 2 miles of Abinger Hammer; tell us about access if the wake is somewhere rural.
This part of Surrey takes in RH5. Streets in the area include Guildford Road, Hackhurst Lane and Felday Road, and the van can serve a wake on any of them with a suitable parking spot. Neighbouring places where we serve wakes include Gomshall (1 mile west), Hoe (1 mile south), Sutton Abinger (1 mile south), Abinger (1 mile south-east) and Shere (1 mile west). Larger places within reach include Guildford (6 miles west), Woking (9 miles north-west), Camberley (15 miles north-west), Epsom (11 miles north-east), Horley (12 miles east) and Redhill (12 miles east).
Nearby you’ll also find St. Luke’s Hospital (5.7 miles west) and Shere Museum (1.3 miles west). Within reach you will find Leith Hill and Combe Bottom.
- Nearby, you’ll find Abinger Arms (within half a mile north-west)
Step by step
We work to your timings. If the day runs behind, we simply start frying a little later, so the food is still fresh when it is served. Late-December sunset in Abinger Hammer is about 3:55pm, so for an afternoon wake, light near the van and the door helps. Summer wakes have daylight well into the evening.
- Send us your date, numbers and address.
- We check access for the van and quote.
- We arrive in good time to set up.
- Everything is fried to order as the queue moves.
- We serve hot from the hatch and pack up when we are done.
Getting ready for the day
- Keep space clear for guests at the hatch
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Check the venue or landowner is happy for the van to park
How to get a price
Not sure of numbers yet? No problem: tell us the basics about your wake, and we will quote on that. Start when you’re ready: fill in our quote form.
Planning help
How we price fish and chips for the wake
There are no hidden charges: the quote reflects:
- How many people are eating
- The length of service
- Whether a minimum applies
- The day of the week
Comparing vans? Look at what each quote includes: hours, menu, travel, minimum charge and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
Getting an accurate quote
You do not need everything decided to ask for a quote, but these help:
- The spot you have in mind for the van
- Access details such as gates and narrow lanes
- The date and when you’d like to eat
- Allergies and diets you know about
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and serving time. We’ll come back with a clear quote.
Why choose a fish and chip van in Abinger Hammer?
Next to a buffet, a van gives everyone a hot meal, which helps when numbers are hard to predict. Larger groups generally cost less per head, since the van and set-up are much the same for any size. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why us?
- No kitchen needed
- Fish and chips fried fresh on site
- Served hot, straight from the hatch
- Events in Abinger Hammer and across Surrey
Who books funeral and wake catering in Abinger Hammer?
It works for everyone, from children to older relatives.
Whatever the occasion in Abinger Hammer, fish and chips from the hatch goes down well. We regularly serve:
- Gatherings after scattering ashes
- A favourite meal in someone’s memory
- Gatherings at home after a funeral
- Remembrance gatherings
Relatives arriving by train should know that the closest railway station is Gomshall station, roughly 0.5 miles north-west of the centre.
What to look for in a quote
- The van’s size and access needs
- How many hours the van serves
- When final numbers are due
- Whether VAT is included
Allergies and dietary needs
We take allergies seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Mention allergies you know about
- Keep the serving time flexible
- Choose a friend to be our contact
- Funeral directors can help with numbers
Afterwards, we leave quietly.
Photos or a memory book give people something to share.
DIY versus a fish and chip van
Collecting fish and chips for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s hard work. By the time you’ve queued, paid and driven back, the batter has gone soft. A van fries it right there, so it’s crisp.
A DIY buffet works for small groups. For larger numbers, or when you want hot food, a van takes the pressure off, and nobody has to miss the wake.
Towns and villages near Abinger Hammer
Also in Abinger Hammer
Organising for someone else?
Many venues set rules for catering vans: where a van can park, access times and the paperwork they want. Tell us what your venue needs and we’ll confirm what we can provide.
Parks, greens and streets usually need permission for a catering van. The council or landowner will tell you what they need.
- 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