Big or Small, We Serve Them All!
Ice Cream Van Hire
Gravesend
Ice Cream by the Thames
Gravesend has the River Thames running through its story, and that riverside setting makes outdoor celebrations feel different. The Promenade offers open views across the water, while Fort Gardens gives families a place to enjoy events and activities. New Tavern Fort is another well-known local landmark close to the river. These places are part of what gives Gravesend its character.
We do not assume every venue works in the same way. A riverside event, school field and private garden all have different practical needs. Before a booking, we discuss the venue, access, expected guest numbers and serving time with the organiser. If the site has parking rules, restricted access, narrow entrances or a particular vehicle position, tell us early. It helps us plan properly.
For public or outdoor events, we work with the organiser’s arrangements and follow the site’s rules. Our aim is simple: arrive in good time, set up where agreed, serve efficiently and leave the area tidy when the booking is complete.
That matters at busy events. Guests should be enjoying themselves, not watching an organiser solve a parking problem or manage a dessert queue. We take our part seriously.
Why Local Hosts Choose Us
We have been serving customers since 1985. That gives us decades of practical experience, but we still treat each booking as its own event.
We are a family-run business and take pride in friendly, professional service. Our credentials include £10 million public liability insurance, clean and well-presented vans, and the ability to provide multiple vans for larger events. These details give organisers useful reassurance when they are choosing a mobile food supplier.
We also understand that the person booking the van may already have a long list to manage. You might be organising a school fete, coordinating a wedding, running a charity day or arranging a company event. You do not need another complicated supplier conversation.
Tell us what you are planning. We can discuss the date, location, guest numbers, event type and preferred serving time, then provide a clear quote based on the booking.
Our service is not just about handing over ice cream. It is about fitting neatly into the event.
Suited to Outdoor & Riverside Events
Outdoor events can be brilliant, but they also need a little planning. Weather, access, parking and crowd movement all matter.
We are well suited to community events, school fields, sports grounds, private gardens, public celebrations and riverside gatherings where vehicle access can be agreed in advance. We discuss the best place for the van with the organiser so guests can reach the serving window safely and the vehicle does not get in the way of the main event.
For a busy event, the serving position can make a real difference. A clear approach helps guests form an orderly queue and keeps other activities moving. If children are attending, we also want the serving area to be easy for families to approach.
If your venue is on a tight residential road, has a narrow entrance, a steep section, restricted parking or a particular loading arrangement, let us know. Small details can make a big difference on the day.
We work with the information you provide and the rules of the venue. Where an event takes place in a public space, organisers should also confirm any permissions or site requirements that apply to their booking. We can then focus on the part we do best: serving the treats.
Occasions We Cater For
We cater for a wide range of Gravesend events. The beauty of an ice cream van is that it can be a small part of a larger day or become one of the moments guests talk about afterwards.
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School fetes and sports days: A familiar favourite for children, parents and staff. We can work around the school timetable and busy serving periods.
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Weddings and evening receptions: Add a relaxed dessert moment after the meal, during the evening or as guests move between parts of the celebration.
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Birthday and family parties: A van arriving at a garden or private venue can turn dessert into part of the entertainment.Corporate events: Give staff and guests a reason to step away from desks, meet outdoors and enjoy something together.
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Charity and community events: Ice cream can complement a wider programme of stalls, games, activities and fundraising.
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Football tournaments and sports events: A quick cold treat can be a welcome break between matches.
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Village fetes, fairs and festivals: Our traditional van fits naturally into community celebrations where families are already out enjoying the day.
We also cater for larger public events. If you expect a big crowd, tell us the likely guest numbers and how the day is structured. We can discuss whether more than one van or a longer serving window would be suitable.
Menu Favourites for Gravesend Events
Our menu gives guests a choice between classic ice cream van favourites and more modern dessert treats.
Our soft whippy ice cream is a core favourite. Guests can enjoy it in a crisp cone with familiar toppings such as Cadbury Flakes, sauces and colourful sprinkles. It is simple, nostalgic and easy to serve to a mixed crowd.
For something more indulgent, our menu includes popular sundaes such as Mixed, Oreo, Milkybar, Kev’s Ice, Vegan Magnum, Kinder and Caramel. We also offer whippy trays, including Flake, Crunchie, Biscoff, Sherbet Blue Bottle, Hot Cookie Dough and Hot Brownie options.
Waffle cones give guests another way to enjoy dessert, while traditional ice lollies and premium lollies offer a handy choice for people who prefer a frozen treat without soft serve. Our Twist Slush provides a cold drink option, which can be especially welcome on warm event days.
Here is a simple view of the main choices:
The exact menu available can depend on the event and current stock, so if you have a particular favourite in mind, mention it when you enquire. We can discuss what is suitable for your booking.
Coverage Across Gravesend & North Kent
We do not see Gravesend as a single point on a map. The wider area includes busy residential communities, villages, countryside and event venues, and our service can extend across the surrounding North Kent area.
Alongside Gravesend, we can serve nearby locations such as Northfleet, Chalk, Higham, Shorne, Istead Rise and Meopham. These places each have their own mix of schools, sports clubs, community groups, private homes and outdoor spaces.
Northfleet sits close to Gravesend and the Thames, making it a natural part of our local service area. Chalk and Higham offer a more village-style setting, while Shorne provides access to countryside and outdoor spaces. Istead Rise is a residential community with local schools and family activities. Meopham brings a strong village identity, with Meopham Green, local community facilities and countryside nearby.
We can also discuss bookings across the wider Gravesham area and nearby Kent locations. Our wider service network already includes places such as Dartford, Crayford, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Westerham, Oxted, Edenbridge and Tonbridge.
If your venue is just outside Gravesend, do not rule us out because of the postcode. Send us the full location and event details and we can confirm whether we can cover it.
Local Events Need More Than a Van
A good mobile catering service should fit the event, not compete with it.
For a school sports day, that may mean working within a short serving window. For a wedding, it may mean arriving at an agreed time so the van is ready after the main meal. For a community festival, it may mean preparing for a steady flow of customers across several hours.
We ask for the details that help us understand the day:
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Where is the event taking place?
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How many people are expected?
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What type of event are you holding?
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What date and serving time do you need?
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Is there suitable access and parking for the van?
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Are there any venue rules or restrictions we should know about?
This information helps us give a more useful quote and plan the service properly. It also helps avoid last-minute surprises.
For larger bookings, we can discuss serving capacity, stock and whether multiple vans may be appropriate. For smaller private events, the planning can be much simpler. Either way, we keep the conversation practical.
Why an Ice Cream Van Works at a Gravesend Party
There is a reason ice cream vans remain popular. They are not just another food table.
The van creates a small moment of anticipation. Children hear the familiar chime. Guests walk over, choose what they fancy and have it served fresh at the window. People chat while they wait. Then they head back to the party with a cone, sundae, lolly or drink in hand.
That interaction can work particularly well at family events. Parents do not need to prepare a dessert table, keep tubs frozen or wash a pile of bowls afterwards. At a corporate event, the van gives staff a natural reason to step outside and take a proper break. At a wedding, it can add a playful change of pace after a formal meal.
It is a small thing, really. But small things often make an event feel personal.
For Gravesend celebrations, the Thames, local parks, community spaces and village surroundings give organisers plenty of settings where a mobile dessert service can feel at home. We bring the van and the treats. You get to enjoy more of the day.
Schools and community organisations often have a different challenge. You may need a supplier who can work around a busy timetable and a large number of people.
We have experience serving school fetes, sports days, football tournaments, PTA events, charity days and community celebrations. Our service is designed to keep the experience moving so guests can enjoy the rest of the event.
Kev’s Ices also offers fundraising arrangements for school events, with a percentage of sales paid back to organisers or the school PTA where agreed. If fundraising is part of your event plan, mention it when you contact us so we can discuss the arrangement.
We take safety and hygiene seriously. Our business holds £10 million public liability insurance and Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene credentials, and our vans are kept clean and well presented.
For schools, sports clubs and community groups in Gravesend, Northfleet, Meopham, Shorne, Higham, Chalk and Istead Rise, that combination of practical experience and a familiar menu can make event catering much easier.
A Reliable Choice for Schools, Clubs and Community Groups
Booking an ice cream van should not feel like a project in itself.
1. Send us your event details and date.
Tell us where the event is, what type of occasion you are planning, your estimated guest numbers and the time you would like us to serve.
2. We confirm availability and prepare a quote.
We use the information you provide to understand the size and shape of the booking. For larger events, we can discuss the serving setup and whether multiple vans may be useful.
3. We arrive, serve and clear our area.
Once the details are agreed, we arrive at the arranged location, serve your guests and tidy our serving area before leaving.
That is it. No complicated dessert preparation for you. No need to organise tubs, cones, toppings or serving equipment separately. We bring the mobile service to you.
Weekend dates, summer parties and school events can be popular, so it is sensible to contact us as soon as you have a firm date in mind. We can then check availability rather than leaving the booking until the last minute.
Booking in Three Simple Steps
Plan Your Gravesend Event With Kev’s Ices
Whether you are organising a small birthday in a private garden, a wedding reception, a school summer fete, a football tournament or a large community event, we are ready to discuss the details.
Tell us your date, venue and expected guest numbers. We will check availability and talk through what you need.