Despite the UK experiencing a record-breaking drought with over 50 consecutive days without significant rainfall, some of the most exclusive residences in London's Hampstead, known as Billionaires' Row, have maintained vibrant green gardens. The Bishops Avenue, lined with mansions valued up to £100 million, has seen aerial images reveal consistently lush lawns at a number of properties, even as hosepipe bans are in effect for millions of residents across the region.
Thames Water, which services the area, imposed a hosepipe ban last month, affecting Greater London and surrounding areas. While there is no evidence of residents breaching these restrictions, the upkeep of the expansive gardens suggests the use of alternative watering methods. These could include watering cans, approved irrigation systems with specific restrictions, or boreholes to access natural groundwater.
Boreholes, which can yield thousands of liters of water daily, tap into underground aquifers and are not subject to government restrictions. This method has been publicly speculated by figures like Jeremy Clarkson, who suggested it as a means to maintain greenery at his own pub and at the Cotswolds property he co-owns with others. Similarly, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is reported to be using water from a large private lake on his Essex estate to keep his lawns verdant, as water from privately owned sources like lakes and ponds is exempt from hosepipe bans.
In contrast to the resilience seen on Billionaires' Row, other celebrities have noted the impact of the drought on their properties. Sir Paul McCartney's estate in East Sussex and Keith Richards's Redlands estate in West Sussex have reportedly turned golden brown.
The current dry spell has led to drought declarations in all of Wales and nearly three-quarters of England. Provisional data indicates that the summer of 2026 is on track to be the hottest on record, with the mean temperature so far being significantly above the average. The situation has also heightened concerns about wildfires, with tinder-dry conditions contributing to blazes across the country. Last week, a national emergency alert for wildfires was issued to mobile phones, the first of its kind.
While many areas are desperate for rain, forecasters predict the possibility of torrential, thundery showers moving south across the country. Experts warn that these intense downpours could lead to surface water flooding due to the hardened ground. Temperatures are expected to become more typical for a British summer in the coming days, though there is a possibility of late-season heatwaves developing in September.