While much of the United Kingdom grapples with a severe drought and widespread hosepipe bans, several high-profile figures appear to have maintained lush, green lawns. Liam Gallagher, Rod Stewart, and Jamie Oliver are among those whose properties remain notably verdant despite record-breaking dry weather that has turned much of the country's grass brown.
Gallagher's mock Tudor-style mansion in Highgate, North London, is supplied by Thames Water, which implemented a hosepipe ban on July 23. Aerial images show his property's grounds remain exceptionally green, a stark contrast to his neighbors' parched gardens. While there is no evidence Gallagher has violated the ban, potential workarounds like using watering cans or specific exemptions could explain the difference. Gallagher purchased the property in 2020.
Similarly, Sir Rod Stewart's Grade II-listed mansion in Essex, acquired in 2013, boasts well-maintained green grounds, including a mini-golf course with a lush putting green and an artificial football pitch. This contrasts with the surrounding parched landscape. Stewart has previously faced scrutiny for watering his football pitch during a drought in 2006, though his spokesman cited an underground irrigation system at the time. His current property is subject to hosepipe restrictions, but there is no indication of a breach.
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has also managed to keep his lawns greener than most. His Essex mansion, purchased in 2019, is situated on a 70-acre site that includes a large private lake. Oliver has installed hosepipes drawing water from this lake to irrigate his garden, a practice that is exempt from hosepipe bans as water is taken from a privately owned source.
England and Wales experienced their driest July on record, with southern England recording its driest month in nearly 200 years. In response, numerous water companies have enacted hosepipe bans, restricting the use of hoses for gardening, car washing, and other non-essential purposes. Over 27 million people across England are currently under such restrictions.
Despite recent showers in some parts of the UK, the Met Office has cautioned that this rainfall is not sufficient to resolve the drought conditions. Forecasters noted that the rain is variable, often falling in showers, and will not significantly replenish water sources. The intermittent rain is not expected to change the overall dry conditions for long, with drier weather anticipated over the weekend.
Thames Water has reported a slight decrease in customer demand since its hosepipe ban began, but reservoir storage remains below expected levels for this time of year. The utility noted that rainfall in its catchment area in July was significantly below the long-term average, while daily water usage increased by approximately 100 million liters.