A tennis fan who treated himself to the iconic strawberries and cream at Wimbledon over the weekend was left baffled by what he actually received. Lawrence Newport took to social media to share his disappointment, posting a picture on X that showed a cardboard box containing a thin layer of cream at the bottom and what appeared to be seven strawberries haphazardly thrown in.
Social Media Reaction
Newport captioned the image: "Strawberries and cream at Wimbledon. Not quite as imagined." The post quickly garnered responses, with many expressing outrage. One commenter claimed that on day one of the tournament, they had received a box of strawberries and a separate pot of cream. When they suggested Newport had done it the "wrong way around" by pouring the cream into the strawberry box, he countered: "It comes like this!"
Another commenter posted a picture of their own strawberries and cream, showing a much higher pile of strawberries but still lacklustre cream. Someone replied: "You've literally posted an almost identical photo of disappointment." Another added: "This looks just as bad but with better lighting." A third wrote: "It still looks bleak but would be much improved if the box were half the size."
Price and Expectations
A portion of strawberries and cream at Wimbledon in 2026 costs £2.85, a 15p increase from the previous year. According to Popcorn Shed, customers are guaranteed at least ten Grade 1 British strawberries for that price. Newport's picture showed only seven, though some speculated the remaining three might have been tucked underneath or eaten before the photo.
When someone told Newport he shouldn't expect luxury for less than £3, he hit back: "Good point. When I next order fish and chips with tartare sauce, I'll expect a flake of fish, three chips, and tartare sauce just randomly tumbled around it. Oh, and it should all come in a tub that is far too deep, for no reason."
History of Strawberries and Cream at Wimbledon
Strawberries and cream have been synonymous with Wimbledon since the championships first began in July 1877. July is the heart of British strawberry season, and the fruit was already associated with English summer. Historian Robert McNicol previously noted that no one really knows when the delicacy was first served at Wimbledon; it may have started informally, with spectators bringing their own strawberries, before becoming part of the event's culture.
Almost 150 years later, Wimbledon keeps the tradition alive by serving fresh strawberries supplied by Hugh Lowe Farms in Kent. The farm picks the berries each morning and delivers them to Wimbledon by 9am, where they are inspected, hulled, and served fresh on the same day.
