West Sussex · England
Funeral and Wake Catering for Ardingly events
From the smell of the fryers to the last chip in the paper, fish and chips for the wake makes the food a highlight of your wake in Ardingly.
- Family meals after the service
- Wakes at home
- Remembrance gatherings
Fresh fish and chips in Ardingly
The menu, dish by dish
Mushy peas
Mushy peas are a must for plenty of fish and chip fans.
Cod and chips
Cod is the classic: mild, white and flaky, and it is what most people in the south ask for. We batter it and fry it to order.
Funeral and wake catering in Ardingly, fried fresh
We understand that timings on the day can move, and we’ll work around the service and the family. Typical bookings include scattering of ashes gatherings and remembering a loved one’s favourite food, with mushy peas, haddock and chips and sausage and chips.
Near Ardingly, wakes are often at home or in the hall. Let us know about access. Let us know about allergies and dietary needs in advance, and we will be straight with you about what we can do.
- Where
- Ardingly (RH17)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- From the fryer
- Fish and chips, sausages, pies
- On the side
- Mushy peas, curry sauce, gravy
- Price
- Quoted for your event
- Updated
- 24 October 2026
Cannot we just order from the chip shop?
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.
DIY food keeps costs down, but the host spends the event serving. Booking the van means hot food and no stress.
Perfect for your wake in Ardingly
Nothing is wasted on an uncertain number of guests.
A fish and chip van suits almost any gathering. People in Ardingly book the van for occasions like:
- Gatherings at home after a funeral
- Wakes at a pub or venue with outside space
- Village hall wakes
- Memorial events and anniversaries
Relatives arriving by train should know that the closest railway station is Balcombe station, roughly 2.5 miles west of the centre.
Before booking anyone
- When payment is due
- The van’s size and access needs
- How many hours the van serves
- Travel, tolls and road charges
Looking after everyone
Dietary needs are easiest to plan with some notice. We suggest:
- Build in time for delays
- Allow a little extra
- Check the hall or venue allows a catering van
- Name a contact for the day who isn’t close family
A friend or the funeral director can be our contact.
A favourite cake can be a lovely touch.
Where the van can park in Ardingly
We’ll be honest if a spot will not work, and help find another. The main points are:
- The site’s agreement to a catering van
- Lighting nearby for evening events
- A clear way in, with no low branches, cables or narrow gates
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and the way in, and we’ll say what we think before booking.
From the hatch
- Gravy
- Pie and chips
- Mushy peas
- Haddock and chips
- Sausage and chips
- Cod and chips
Towns and villages near Ardingly
Also in Ardingly
Why fried-to-order beats a buffet
For a simple, comforting meal at a wake, fish and chips from a van works well. Distance and any road charges make a difference, so tell us exactly where your wake is.
Why us?
- Cod, haddock, sausages and pies
- Rain does not stop the fryers
- All the chip-shop extras
- Everything cooked to order at your event
Take a look at our prices page or what a fish and chip van costs.
Your questions about fish and chips for the wake in Ardingly
How far is Ardingly from London?
Roughly 31 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
Can the van go to venues in the High Weald National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles and ground, so check with yours. We will follow the site rules.
How do we estimate numbers?
Give us your best estimate, and we will plan with a little extra.
Can you cook in the rain?
Rain doesn’t stop the fryers: the cooking is inside the van. It is worth planning some cover for the queue.
Can the van park on grass?
That depends on the weather and the ground. Tell us about it when you enquire, and send a photo if you can.
Which areas do you serve?
London and the South East: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
Who clears up?
We take the van and everything with it, and leave the spot tidy. It helps to have bins near the hatch.
Can our funeral director book for us?
Yes, that is common.
What happens on the day
We work to your timings. If things run late, we simply start frying a little later, so nothing is cooked before it’s needed. Late-December sunset in Ardingly 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.
- You, or your funeral director, tell us the date, the place and rough numbers.
- You get an access check and a quote, without fuss.
- Timings allow for the service and travel from it.
- On the day we set up quietly and serve when guests are ready.
- Afterwards we pack up quietly and leave the spot tidy.
Before we arrive
- Choose a level, firm spot for the van
- Arrange somewhere dry for the queue
- Clear the route for the van
Ask for a quote
To get a price, use our quote form. Give us the details of your wake, and we’ll come back with availability and a quote.
Planning help
Arranging a wake in Ardingly
Ardingly is about 3 miles north of Haywards Heath, in West Sussex. Across the RH17 area, we’ll come to your venue, home or workplace. Ardingly is one of 371 towns and villages in West Sussex where we bring the van. Our nearest city page is Brighton, about 15 miles away.
Families holding a service at St Peter's Church often gather afterwards at a nearby hall, where the van can park. Ardingly is within about 7 miles of the High Weald National Landscape; tell us about access if the wake is somewhere rural.
Wakes anywhere in RH17 start with a parking spot for the van and roughly how many guests. Streets in the area include High Street, Munnion Road and Price Way, and the van can serve a wake on any of them with a suitable parking spot. Close by, we cover wakes in Little London (1 mile north), Highbrook (1 mile north-east), Lindfield (2 miles south), Horsted Keynes (2 miles east) and West Hoathly (2 miles north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Crawley (6 miles north-west), Horsham (10 miles west), Haywards Heath (3 miles south), Burgess Hill (7 miles south), East Grinstead (6 miles north-east) and Broadfield (6 miles north-west).
A little further out are Waterbury Castle (2 miles east) and Princess Royal Hospital (3.9 miles south). Within reach you will find Blunts Wood and Paiges Meadow.
- Local pubs include The Ardingly Inn (less than half a mile north-east)
Planners, venues and businesses
If your event is in a public place, such as a park or a street, check what permission you need first. The council or landowner will tell you what they need.
For big groups, the service window matters, so we can plan service to match. Sending people up in groups helps.
- 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