Seven of the most British things to look out for at Wimbledon

Wimbledon's back so get ready to celebrate it in the most British way possible

Feel a need to reignite your patriotic side? Well, luckily for you, it's Wimbledon season - very much a showcase of the unique and quirky bits of British culture.

Yes, the rest of the world may mock us for dunking biscuits in our tea and eating potatoes with the skin on, but we don't mind because over the next few weeks Brits across the UK will stand strong and take pride in these other distinct Wimbledon quirks.

Here are a few reasons to get excited that one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world is making its annual return to SW19. 

Some arenas have VIP boxes, but Wimbledon has a Royal Box. Checkmate.

The New York Times once said that getting an invite to the box is "akin to getting an acceptance letter from Hogwarts, external".

Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge are occasionally spotted in the prestigious high-rollers section of Centre Court and they usually get involved with the excitement of it all. Above, you'll see them partaking in the always-exciting Mexican wave.

This is classic royalty-at-Wimbledon behaviour.

Want a hot dog? Go to a baseball game. Want a chicken Balti pasty? This isn't the football terraces!

No, Wimbledon is about two dishes: strawberries and cream and afternoon tea. Preferably both.

Let's start with the fruit offering. If you look closely atop the men's singles trophy you'll spot a tiny pineapple, external, but it’s the humble strawberry that steals the limelight at Wimbledon - that is once it’s been picked and carefully bathed in a bowl of cream.

Sometimes visitors are so enthused by the dish they have to find elaborate ways to pay homage to it.

The winning strawberry-cream combination has been served up ever since the first Wimbledon in 1877 and visitors consume an average of 166,000 servings of strawberries, external during the tournament's two-week stretch, accompanied by 10,000 litres of cream.

As for the fancier afternoon tea, Wimbledon serves an average of 76,000 sandwiches, 110,000 scones and 330,000 cups of tea/ coffee.

But if you're looking to swap your cup of English breakfast and for a sneaky bevvie on the side then fear not, because you won't be the only one.

110,000 pints of beer are consumed at Wimbledon each year, however that's nothing in comparison to the amount of Pimm's sold on site, which nearly triples that number.

Celebrities at Wimbledon don't just seem to have a passing interest in the sport. Instead they turn up to the competition as full-on tennis nerds.

Take Stephen Fry for example, who says it’s things like “the pock of the tennis ball on grass” that separates Wimbledon from all other tournaments. 

You also get your casual tennis aficionados, such as David Beckham who’s a regular face at the tournament and famously got stuck into the action when a tennis ball bounced in his direction in 2015. 

He didn't pick up those ball control skills in football training.

Henman Hill, renamed Murray Mound, really does epitomise several British traditions in one go.

Let's start with how people find themselves on it; you can buy 'grounds' tickets by queuing up on the day which inevitably means getting there in the (very) early hours to ensure you'll be one of the lucky ones. This is, as you'd expect, a very British experience, similar to grabbing the best sun beds whilst on holiday.

There will definitely be thermos flasks full of strong tea, and a singsong or two to rally the tired troops. Traditionally, there have also been enthusiasts in Union Jack outfits who've camped overnight who'll be pictured in newspapers the following day to highlight how Britain is going 'wild for Wimbledon'.

Next up, the actual sitting on the hill/mound. Whether it's scorching sun or hammering rain, there's always a 'make do and mend' attitude on show. If it's the former, out comes the must-have fashion accessory: the hat newspaper.

It's vital you wear this in the right way though. If you're carrying a tabloid, you must have the paper open on the centrefold for maximum coverage. If it's a broadsheet, the midway fold must be directly on the middle of the head. Either way, the paper will be key in avoiding a sunburnt head and/or getting sunstroke.

Here it is in all its glory, (this lady's opted for the broadsheet version).

Finally, the name - it is, in reality, a slight slope of grass outside one of the two big courts. The fact that Brits have felt the need to name it after Henman, then renamed it when he retired, speaks volumes about British pride in that there's a couple of sports stars here who are actually pretty good.

Whether it's pouring down with rain or gleaming with sunshine, one way or another, you will see umbrellas.

But if large green and purple brollies aren’t your thing, you could always give your fashion sense a bit of a twist with an official Wimbledon poncho.

Either way, Wimbledon is prepared for all the typical English weather conditions - that is, typically unpredictable.

He's been doing it for years and it's probably the most British celebration of them all. Sadly we won't be able to see him perform it this year. But it's likely other competitors will. Those who have learned from the master. 

The iconic 'I don't want to blow my own trumpet but what I did was actually pretty good' celebration has essentially become the trademark response by Murray to a perfect ace or lob.

Here's Clare Balding taking us through "the five ages of the [Andy Murray] fist pump" back in 2008.

*When choosing the name of the player to root for, may we suggest opting for the one 'who seems nice' - this will add to the Wimbledon'ness of it all.

Disclaimer: we are not saying the group of people pictured above did anything which could have required scolding by the referee. However it is interesting to see the fan on the far left did demonstrate the previously described 'Andy Murray fist-pump'.

If you've managed to snag yourself a ticket to see your favourite tennis players on court you might get emotional. Don't worry though - that's entirely understandable.

So how does this excitement come out? With a streak across Centre Court? No, that's very uncouth. After all, the Queen might be present.

It's actually by shouting 'come on, [insert your fave player's name]' or 'go on, [name of player]' at a tense moment of play. This will then be followed with a polite request from the umpire for "quiet please". If you really need to be shamed, people will then clap this announcement, confirming you as a plague on tennis society.

You'll then have learned your lesson and you'll save your gasps and whoops for socially acceptable time slots. 

So whether you're going along to unreservedly cheer on your favourite player, or you just fancy downing a few litres of cream with the occasional strawberry, you can be sure to experience British culture in all its glory at Wimbledon.

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