Oxfordshire · England
Funeral and wake catering in Checkendon, Oxfordshire
Funeral and wake catering in Checkendon: cod, haddock and chips fried to order, and served hot from the hatch at the time you choose.
- Anniversary memorials
- Gatherings at a village hall or club
- Pub wakes
A chip van near Checkendon
What affects the price in Checkendon
Two events with the same numbers can cost different amounts, because of:
- Any minimum charge
- How easy the site is to reach
- The menu and how many choices
- Distance and any road charges
A chip van often compares well with a plated meal, as there’s no kitchen to hire and nothing to wash up. Ask us for a quote.
What we need to know
When you get in touch, it helps to tell us:
- The date and time of the event
- A picture of the space and the way in
- The spot you have in mind for the van
- Roughly how many people, including children
We only need a few details to quote: date, address, numbers and serving time. To send them, send us your details through our quote form.
About our funeral and wake catering in Checkendon
It is an informal meal, which suits a gathering where people mingle. Whether it’s memorial events and anniversaries and wakes at home, we’ll put together a menu of gravy, cod and chips and pie and chips and more.
In rural Checkendon, home or the hall is usual, with the van in the yard or car park. The fryers are in the van, so the cooking happens right there at your wake, so the batter is still crisp when it’s handed over.
- Where
- Checkendon (RG8)
- Region
- Oxfordshire
- From the fryer
- Cod, haddock, chips, sausages, pies
- Extras
- Mushy peas, curry sauce, gravy
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Page updated
- 24 October 2026
Is a fish and chip van right for your wake?
A pub or venue may cater a wake themselves. A van works where they don’t, or at home. Travel, tolls and charges such as ULEZ can affect the price, so it helps to give us the postcode.
Why book our van in Checkendon
- No kitchen needed
- We cover Checkendon and the whole of Oxfordshire
- Rain does not stop the fryers
- A clear quote before you book
Planning for dietary needs
A little planning makes sure everyone is looked after. Try these:
- Plan for a few extra people
- Ask the venue about the van
- Choose a friend to be our contact
- Arrange tea and coffee separately
Allow time for travel from the service, crematorium or burial ground.
Some families add a favourite dessert or cake.
Wake catering near Checkendon
Checkendon is about 6 miles north-west of Caversham, in Oxfordshire. For wakes in Checkendon, the van can park on drives, in car parks and yards, and on firm lawns and fields. We cover 443 places in Oxfordshire, from the larger towns to small villages. Our bookings stretch from Checkendon to Reading (about 7 miles away).
For anyone coming to the funeral by train, Goring & Streatley station is about 4.4 miles away. The Chilterns National Landscape is within about 7 miles of Checkendon; tell us about access if the wake is somewhere rural.
We take the van to wakes all over RG8. We can serve a wake on streets such as Uxmore Road, Whitehall Lane and Lovegrove's Lane, as long as there’s somewhere for the van. Other places close to Checkendon we cover include Stoke Row (1 mile east), Hook End (1 mile south), Woodcote (2 miles south-west), Heath End (2 miles north) and Ipsden (2 miles north-west). Larger places within reach include Didcot (10 miles north-west), Abingdon-on-Thames (14 miles north-west), Thame (14 miles north), Henley-on-Thames (6 miles east), Benson (6 miles north-west) and Chinnor (12 miles north-east).
Within reach you will find Hartslock.
- Schools near Checkendon include Langtree School (1.6 miles south-west)
- Nearby, you will find The Black Horse pub (less than half a mile north)
DIY versus a fish and chip van
Not sure whether to order in or book a van? Consider your numbers and how fresh you want it. We’re happy to send a quote so you can compare.
If you do order from a chip shop, ring well ahead and collect as close to eating time as you can. For a crowd, a van is typically simpler.
Before you choose a spot
The right spot keeps everyone safe and the service smooth. We need:
- Permission from the venue or landowner for the van
- A route in without tight gates or low branches
- Space for people to queue at the hatch
Not sure about the spot? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly before booking.
Popular choices
- Gravy
- Mushy peas
- Pie and chips
- Sausage and chips
- Cod and chips
- Haddock and chips
The process
We get there well before service, set up and bring the oil up to temperature. Your guests can wander over to the hatch as soon as we open. Summer evenings in Checkendon stay light until about 9:25pm, while winter afternoons darken by about 3:55pm.
- Start with three things: the date, the place and a rough headcount.
- Show us where the van would go, and we will confirm it works.
- A week or so before, we confirm timings and numbers.
- The van rolls up, the hatch opens and the fryers get going for family and friends.
- Once the last portion is out, we pack up and go.
How to prepare
- Send us final numbers and any allergies in good time
- Plan a bit of cover near the hatch if rain is likely
- Choose a level, firm spot for the van
Get a quote
Not sure of numbers yet? That is fine: tell us the basics about your wake, and we will quote on that. Start when you’re ready: use our quote form.
Planning help
FAQs for Checkendon
Is Checkendon too small for a chip van?
No, we come to small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and the ground.
Can the van go to venues in the Chilterns National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles and ground, so check with yours. We will work to whatever the site needs.
What if the weather’s bad?
We carry on in the rain, because the cooking happens inside. Very soft ground can be a problem, so plan a back-up spot on a hard surface.
What if timings change?
Of course. We start when you’re ready.
How long will the queue be?
A short menu and staggered groups keep things moving. Tell us your timings and we will advise.
Is the food cooked at the event?
Yes, always. Everything is fried fresh in the van, then handed over hot from the hatch.
Can a friend deal with you?
Of course. We’re happy to deal with the funeral director or a family friend.
Do you come to Checkendon?
Yes. We take the van across London and the South East, and Checkendon is within our area and the rest of Oxfordshire. To check your date, use our quote form.
About the food
Curry sauce
The chip shop’s own curry sauce is mild and a little sweet, great with chips and sausages.
Cod and chips
For many people, cod and chips is the definitive version. Fried to order in the van, it’s hot, crisp and generous.
Organising for someone else?
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we will talk you through the process. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
Many venues set rules for catering vans: where a van can park, access times and the paperwork they want. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will confirm what we can provide.
More for events in Checkendon
- 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