Wimbledon is notorious for its eye-watering prices, but one tournament-goer has shocked the internet by crowning an iconic courtside snack as the "best value thing" she's eaten all summer. While visitors routinely complain about the cost of a day out at the All England Club, content creator Lylaa Ali Shaikh took to TikTok to defend the event's most famous delicacy, revealing that top-tier luxury doesn't always come with a premium price tag.
Strawberries and cream praised as affordable treat
Lylaa Ali Shaikh, who goes by Salt and Shaikh on TikTok, recently highlighted an iconic Wimbledon delicacy—strawberries and cream—and shared her thoughts on what guests are being charged for the refreshment. Wimbledon gets through 2.5 million strawberries every single championship, with every strawberry freshly picked and delivered daily from the same family-run farm in Kent, according to tournament organizers.
The TikToker confessed she felt compelled to sample the dessert during her recent trip to Wimbledon, though the price tag left her rather taken aback. According to her, the cost came as quite a shock, particularly given how beloved the sweet treat is at the annual tennis tournament.
TikToker shares her experience
In footage posted online, Lylaa said: "People say Wimbledon is expensive, but when the famous strawberries and cream are only £2.85, is it really? I was on a mission to find out if they are actually worth it. During our visit, they actually let us make our own portion. Firstly, we picked up our box, then we pulled off the green tops of the strawberries. Mind you, you can only have 10 strawberries per portion. Then it was time to drown them in cream. I'm not usually a strawberries and cream person, but this actually converted me. The strawberries were very juicy and obviously very fresh. These strawberries are some of the nicest strawberries I've had. The cream added that silky smooth addition. The cream actually coated the strawberries perfectly without overpowering. £2.85 at Wimbledon. Genuinely one of the best value things I've eaten all summer."
It's fair to say Lylaa was won over by the price tag, considering the treat well worth every penny.
Tradition dating back to Victorian era
Strawberries and cream have been a beloved Wimbledon tradition for many years, thought to trace its roots back to the earliest days of the competition during the Victorian era, when the fruit was considered a seasonal luxury. At that time, strawberries were only available for a brief window in June and July, meaning they coincided perfectly with the tennis Grand Slam—and their popularity at the tournament shows no signs of waning to this day.
An impressive 140,000 portions are reportedly served up each year throughout the tournament. On average, this amounts to a staggering 28,000 kilograms of strawberries and 7,000 litres of cream being eagerly consumed, according to event data.
