Hampshire · England
Funeral and Wake Catering for Downton events
Funeral and wake catering in Downton: cod, haddock and chips fried to order, then handed over hot from the hatch at the time you choose.
- Wakes at venues
- Memorial gatherings
- A tribute meal
Fresh fish and chips in Downton
About our funeral and wake catering in Downton
We understand that timings on the day can move, so we stay flexible. We serve mushy peas, cod and chips and sausage and chips, and we’re frequently booked for a favourite meal in someone’s memory and pub wakes.
Near Downton, wakes are often at home or in the hall. Let us know about access. Everything is fried fresh at your wake, not cooked earlier and kept warm.
What affects the price in Downton
Fish and chip van pricing is simple once we know the basics:
- How easy the site is to reach
- The day of the week
- Travel, tolls and road charges
- The length of service
Many fish and chip vans set a minimum, because the van, fuel and travel cost the same for a small group. We’ll tell you up front.
What to tell us
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what’s useful:
- A picture of where the van would go
- The spot you have in mind for the van
- How to get in: gates, lanes and ground
- Rough numbers for adults and children
The quickest way to a quote is to use our quote form. Give us the details of your wake, and we’ll come back with availability and a quote.
Downton questions
What’s the nearest station to Downton?
The closest is New Milton station, roughly 2 miles away.
Can the van go to venues in the New Forest National Park?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles and ground, so check with yours. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
Do you bring everything you need?
All the cooking happens in the van. Tell us about power, water and bins at the site.
How do we estimate numbers?
Start with a rough number, and we will firm it up nearer the day.
Is grass a problem?
That depends on the weather and the ground. Let us know what the ground is like, and we will advise.
What if the service runs late?
Of course. We start when you are ready.
Can someone else arrange it?
Yes, that is common.
Do you have allergen information?
We provide allergen information for everything we serve. Fish and gluten are the main ones in battered fish. Tell us about allergies in advance.
Wake catering near Downton
Downton is about 3 miles west of Lymington, in Hampshire. Whether your wake is in the middle of Downton or on the outskirts, we offer the same service: fresh frying, hot food from the hatch and a clear price. Downton is one of 683 places in Hampshire we cover. We serve events right across the region, from Downton to Southampton (16 miles away).
If relatives are coming by rail, the nearest station is New Milton station, about 2 miles north-west. Downton is within about 6 miles of the New Forest National Park, and rural venues there may have narrow lanes, so tell us about access. Downton is within about 4 miles of the sea, and for many families fish and chips brings back memories of the seaside.
For wakes in SO41, we just need to know where the van can park and roughly how many guests. Your wake could be at a house on Hordle Lane and Shorefield Road, as long as there’s somewhere for the van. If your venue is just outside Downton, we also cover Leagreen (1 mile east), Hordle (1 mile north), Ashley (2 miles north-west), Barton on Sea (2 miles west) and New Milton (2 miles north-west). Larger places within reach include Totton (13 miles north), Lymington (3 miles east), Hythe (13 miles north-east), Ringwood (10 miles north-west), Dibden Purlieu (12 miles north-east) and Marchwood (13 miles north-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Lymington New Forest Hospital (3.7 miles north-east) and Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum (2.9 miles north-west). Green spaces nearby include Milford on Sea LNR.
- Schools near Downton include The Arnewood School (2.1 miles west)
Step by step
Changes on the day are fine: we can start a little later or slow the pace to suit your wake. A wake in Downton in late autumn or winter may run into the dark, with sunset about 7:10pm in late September and 4:05pm in December.
- Send us your date, numbers and address.
- We check access for the van and quote.
- We arrive in good time to set up.
- Fish goes into the batter and straight into the fryer, to order.
- Service is straight from the hatch, then we pack up.
How to prepare
- Think about a gazebo by the van in case of rain
- Choose a level, firm spot for the van
- Send us final numbers and any allergies in good time
Ask for a quote
Each quote is put together for your wake. Start with your date, and we’ll confirm whether we are available that day.
Read more
For event organisers in Downton
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers and vehicles: parking spots, arrival times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work through them with you.
If you are booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we will explain how it works. We are happy to liaise with facilities on parking and timings.
Looking after everyone
Most events have a few guests with dietary needs. To look after them:
- Ensure older relatives can sit
- Allow a little extra
- Arrange tea and coffee separately
- Check the hall or venue allows a catering van
Afterwards, we leave quietly.
Somewhere quiet to sit helps some guests.
A chip van compared with other options
A formal meal doesn’t always suit. Fish and chips lets people mingle. If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we’ll suggest how to make it work. Keeping the menu short is normally the best value.
What you get with us
- Bookings across Hampshire, including Downton
- Quick service from the hatch
- A menu almost everyone likes
- The classic sides: peas, curry sauce and gravy
Take a look at how we price or our guide to van hire costs.
Places near Downton
Other occasions in Downton
Planning the van’s spot
The van has to be able to get in and park safely, so a few things need checking. Here’s what we look for:
- A lit spot if service runs after dark
- A clear area by the serving hatch
- A short walk from the party
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before booking.
What we serve
- Gravy
- Pie and chips
- Cod and chips
- Sausage and chips
- Haddock and chips
- Mushy peas
About the food
Gravy
A pot of gravy turns chips into comfort food.
Sausage and chips
For anyone who does not fancy fish, there is sausage and chips, and children love it.
Takeaway run or book a van?
You could do a chip-shop run for everyone yourself, but it rarely works for a crowd. By the time you’ve queued, paid and driven back, the batter has gone soft. With a van, it is fried on the spot.
For a small group, making your own food can work. For bigger numbers, a van makes life easier, and you get to enjoy the day.
- 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