Hampshire · England
Party Fish and Chip Van for Downton events
Bring the chip shop to your party in Downton. We park up, heat the fryers and cook to order, so nothing sits waiting in a tray.
- Milestone birthdays
- Street parties
- Children’s parties
Party fish and chip van for Downton events
Party fish and chip van in Downton, cooked to order
The queue at the hatch gets people mixing. Whether it is street parties and neighbourhood events and anniversaries and engagement parties, we will put together a menu of mushy peas, gravy and pie and chips for your guests.
A country party near Downton is perfect for fish and chips: fried fresh and eaten outside. Plan a firm spot in case it rains. Timings are planned around your party, so the food is ready when you want to eat.
About the food
Haddock and chips
Some people swear by haddock: a firmer flake and a sweeter taste. Tell us if you’d like to offer it.
Sausage and chips
Sausage and chips covers anyone who does not want fish, and it’s a favourite with children.
A fish and chip van or other catering?
For a relaxed celebration, a fish and chip van is a great choice. Distance and any road charges make a difference, so it helps to give us the postcode.
Why book our van in Downton
- Rain doesn’t stop the fryers
- A quote that spells everything out
- Something for guests to gather round
- A menu almost everyone likes
Read our pricing and our guide to van hire costs.
Should I sort the food myself?
Ordering in from a local chip shop is an option. Large orders are slow, and the food cools in the bags. A van cooks in front of your guests instead.
Doing the food yourself saves money, but the host ends up running around. With a fish and chip van, you get hot food without the work.
Diets, allergies and planning
A little planning makes sure everyone is looked after. Try these:
- Arrange an alternative if needed
- Ask guests about allergies when they reply
- Send us a photo of the drive
- Count children separately
It’s worth telling the neighbours.
Put the menu up by the van.
Space, access and the venue
Before the day, we’ll agree where the van parks. It needs to tick a few simple boxes:
- A spot near your guests
- Light near the van and the queue for evening service
- Room in front of the hatch for a queue
Not sure about the spot? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly.
On the menu in Downton
- Pie and chips
- Cod and chips
- Gravy
- Haddock and chips
- Chips
- Curry sauce
- Mushy peas
- Sausage and chips
Hosting a chip van party in Downton
Downton is about 3 miles west of Lymington, in Hampshire. Anywhere in SO41, we can fry fresh for your guests. We take the van to all 683 towns and villages in Hampshire. Our nearest city page is Southampton, about 16 miles away.
Historic houses near Downton include Highcliffe Castle (4.2 miles west). If you’re hiring a historic venue for a big birthday, check its rules on catering vans first. If the day starts at Church of All Saints, the van can be ready at the house when everyone arrives. Downton is within about 6 miles of the New Forest National Park, so a garden party here comes with a lovely backdrop. The coast is within about 4 miles, so a chip van is a natural choice.
Parties anywhere in SO41 start with a parking spot for the van and a serving time. From Hordle Lane and Shorefield Road or anywhere nearby, we’ll bring the van to you. Nearby, we also serve parties in 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). We also serve nearby towns such as 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). Open spaces near Downton include Milford on Sea LNR.
- Local schools include The Arnewood School (2.1 miles west)
Perfect for your party in Downton
Hot food beats a buffet that is been out for hours.
We are booked for all kinds of occasions in Downton and nearby. Some of the most common are:
- Christenings and naming days
- Kids’ birthday parties
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
- Street parties and neighbourhood events
Guests arriving by train should know that the nearest station is New Milton station, about 2 miles north-west.
Questions to ask before booking
- The deadline for final numbers
- The deposit and payment dates
- How long service runs, and what happens if you overrun
- The van’s size and access needs
Towns and villages near Downton
Also in Downton
What happens on the day
The first sign we’ve arrived is generally the smell. From then on, people come up as they’re ready. Autumn and winter parties in Downton get dark early: about 7:10pm in late September and 4:05pm in December, so a lit spot for the van helps.
- First, tell us about your party.
- You get an availability check and a clear quote.
- Timings and the van’s spot are agreed in advance.
- On the day, we park up and fry fresh for your guests.
- Everything goes out hot from the hatch, and we pack up afterwards.
Preparing for the day
- Plan a bit of cover near the hatch if rain is likely
- Check the way in for low branches, cables and narrow gates
- Give us your final numbers and allergies
How to get a price
Every quote is worked out for your event. Start with your date, and we’ll check availability straight away.
Planning help
What a fish and chip van costs
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Any minimum charge
- Travel, tolls and road charges
- Peak dates such as summer Saturdays
- Access and parking
Dates make a difference: peak summer weekends and Christmas party Fridays book up first. It is worth asking early.
Getting an accurate quote
These details help us quote quickly:
- The address or venue name
- A picture of where the van would go
- How to get in: gates, lanes and ground
- Expected numbers
We only need a few details to quote: date, address, numbers and serving time. To send them, use our quote form.
FAQs for Downton
Do you come out to small places like Downton?
No, we come to small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
What about events near the coast?
Yes, of course. The cooking is inside the van, so wind doesn’t affect it, but the queue will want shelter.
Is the food cooked at the event?
It is. We cook inside the van, so it is fried on the spot, not cooked earlier and kept warm.
Do you take everything away?
We take the van and everything with it, and leave the spot tidy. Bins for guests are worth planning.
Is grass a problem?
It depends on the ground. Let us know what the ground is like, and we will advise.
Can you cook in the rain?
We carry on in the rain, because the fryers are inside. Soft ground after heavy rain is the bigger issue, so have a hard-surface spot in mind.
Can you come to a street party?
Yes, where the council allows it. Start the road closure application early.
How soon do we need to book?
The sooner the better. Popular dates book up first, so it pays to ask early.
- 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