By Felix Keith Rom Preston-Ellis
Wimbledon has returned to the All England Lawn Tennis Club and prices have seen a significant increase from last year. The prestigious tournament is renowned not only for its world-class tennis but also for its iconic traditions: strawberries and cream and Pimms and lemonade savoured on the grassy slope fondly referred to as Henman Hill or Murray Mount. Those planning to partake in these traditions this year will need both a sun hat, with temperatures soaring to a blistering 33 degrees on the opening day, and deep pockets. This is due to a surge in food and drink prices since 2024, attributed to inflation. A pint of Stella Artois, which cost 拢7.55 in 2023 and 拢8.50 in 2024, now comes with a hefty price tag of 拢8.85. The first pint of the day also carries an additional 拢1 charge for the reusable cup. Although this fee can be reclaimed upon returning the cup to the bar, organisers are hopeful that spectators will choose to donate it to a charity point around the venue, thereby contributing to the Wimbledon Foundation. Other beverages available at the Walled Garden Bar, located near Court One and Henman Hill, include Kopparberg apple cider, Camden Pale Ale, Camden Easy IPA and Guinness, all priced at 拢8.45. A 330ml bottle of Stella is now 拢7.80, a 30p increase from last year, while the non-alcoholic variant is 拢6.90 and a bottle of Corona is 拢7.50. In addition, a Pimms now costs 拢12.25, up from 拢11.95 last year. A can of Sipsmith gin and tonic is a staggering 拢10.20, while one from the bar is 拢11.05 鈥 45p more expensive than last year 鈥 with a double priced at 拢15.50. For those with a penchant for the finer things, a bottle of Lanson Le Black Creation Brut Champagne is priced at 拢96 鈥 a rise from 拢92.30 in 2024 鈥 and a 20cl glass will set you back 拢26.55. The rose虂 variant is even pricier, costing 拢100.90 for a bottle and 拢29.85 for a glass. Non-alcoholic beverage seekers will find that a can of Coke or Sprite costs 拢2.75, a 250ml bottle of juice is 拢4.20, and a large 750ml bottle of Evian water is 拢5, although refills are complimentary, with water fountains readily accessible. A cup of tea comes in at 拢2.95, an Americano coffee at 拢3.50, while a latte, cappuccino or flat white is priced at 拢4.15. Even the iconic strawberries and cream, which have remained at 拢2.50 for a while, have seen a slight price hike to 拢2.70. Predictably, food prices have also risen, mirroring supermarket trends. Chicken or celeriac shawarma, accompanied by fries or a wrap, now cost 拢13, up from 拢12.40 last year, while a fish finger sandwich is now 拢13.85, having been 拢13.30 in 2024. A portion of chips has increased from 拢5 to 拢5.20, or 拢6 to 拢6.50 if you fancy them with truffle mayonnaise. At the Tea Lawn Larder, located beneath Centre Court, a Cornish pasty or an onion bhaji pasty is priced at 拢6.80 and a sausage roll at 拢5.10. Pre-packaged sandwiches start from 拢4.95 and salads begin at 拢7.50. The Wimbledon version of a supermarket meal deal is 拢15.25, offering a sandwich, snack (strawberries, crisps or popcorn) and drink (water or juice). At the upscale Cafe Pergola, diners can enjoy roasted aubergine with pumpkin seed brittle and roasted tomato compote for 拢19.90, or opt for baked sea bass with pea and mint at 拢21.65. A bacon roll or an egg and mushroom variant are both priced at 拢9.20. Ice cream tubs are available for 拢4.50, while packets of sweets start from 拢3.50 each. The Wimbledon shop carries on the trend, attracting souvenir-seeking tourists ready to splurge. The apparel doesn’t come cheap: a cap is priced at 拢35, a zip-up jacket at 拢120, a padded jacket at 拢110, a T-shirt at 拢45, a tie at 拢95, a pair of socks at 拢14, a sweat band at 拢10, and a set of three hair scrunchies at 拢8. A Wimbledon blanket will set you back a whopping 拢110, a tote bag costs 拢195, a mug is priced at 拢19, a water bottle at 拢30, an umbrella at 拢59 and a keyring is 拢10.