In pictures: Scale of drought across England as rivers dry up

Parks are parched and reservoirs diminished as drought is declared in more than half of England.

In this aerial view, a golfing green and dried grass is seen at Bridport and West Dorset Golf Club, on July 23, 2026 in West Bay, United Kingdom.

A golfing green surrounded by dried grass in Dorset, just one of the areas declared to be in drought on Wednesday

Drought has been declared across more than half of England as hot, dry weather takes its toll on the country's water supplies.

The announcement means there have been three droughts in the past five years - 2022, 2025 and now 2026.

Photos from across the country have captured some of the dry conditions - including receding rivers, parched parks and sportspeople trying to play on.

Boats are seen stranded on the exposed riverbed of the River Thames as water levels drop amid hot and dry weather conditions in London, United Kingdom, on July 24, 2026.

There is no single definition of drought, but it usually refers to a period of prolonged unusually dry weather that can have impacts on people, nature and the environment.

A lack of rainfall has meant rivers have lowered, including the River Thames, exposing the riverbed in London.

A general view of the River Thames, where water levels have dropped due to prevailing hot and dry weather conditions in London, United Kingdom, on July 24, 2026.

The river height marker was left completely dry at a ford on the River Redlake in Bucknell, Shropshire.

Lack of rainfall during the elongated Spring and Summer heatwave has resulted in rivers running low and as seen here by the river height market at a ford on the River Redlake on 24th July 2026 in Bucknell, United Kingdom.

The riverbed of the River Wye in Hereford was seen bare after weeks without rainfall.

The river bed of the River Wye is seen exposed after weeks of no rainfall on 25th July 2026.

Some areas of the country have now entered their fourth heatwave of the year.

Beauty spots and parks have been left yellow and parched, including London's Greenwich Park, Primrose Hill, Hackney Marshes, Peckham Common and Leyton Flats.

Parched park lands at Greenwich in London, Britain, 24 July 2026.

A person walks through parched park lands at Greenwich in London, Britain, 24 July 2026.

People gather on a very dry Primrose Hill as heatwaves continue.Many areas have experienced extremely dry conditions following record-breaking heatwaves in the UK.

The announcement of a drought on Wednesday means there have been three droughts in the past five years – 2022, 2025 and now 2026.

In this aerial view drought-damaged football pitches are seen on Hackney Marshes on July 23, 2026 in London, United Kingdom.

A man practises his ball control on the drought-damaged grass of Hackney Marshes on July 23, 2026 in London, United Kingdom.

In this aerial view, dried grass is seen on Peckham Common on July 23, 2026 in London, United Kingdom.

While droughts happen naturally, scientists say that climate change is raising the risks, with higher summer temperatures drying out soils more quickly. This can lead to more severe and longer-lasting droughts.

An aerial view taken with a drone shows dry grass across Leyton Flats in east London, Britain, 22 July 2026.

The sight of scorched brown leaves has become a familiar view.

Near drought in parts of England, the Mall, London.

Hollow Pond in East London was seen diminished in size.

An aerial view taken with a drone shows rental rowing boats floating past a dried-up section of Hollow Pond in east London, Britain, 22 July 2026.

Rental rowing boats float beside a dried-up section of Hollow Pond in east London, Britain, 22 July 2026.

And golfers at Woldingham Golf Club found their normally lush course had turned to patches of green.

Golfers on the green at Woldingham Golf Club on July 25, 2026 in Woldingham, United Kingdom.

In this aerial view, golfers on the green at Woldingham Golf Club on July 25, 2026 in Woldingham, United Kingdom.

Similarly, a shrinking island of green was played on by cricketers as Maidenhead & Bray club took on Boyne Hill in the village of Bray in Berkshire.

In this aerial view the Maidenhead & Bray CC 1st XI take on the Boyne Hill CC 1st XI on a bone dry field at the Maidenhead & Bray County Cricket club on July 25, 2026 in Bray, United Kingdom.

Reservoirs have also shrunk, including the Walthamstow Wetlands.

Near drought in parts of England, Walthamstow Wetlands reservoirs.

And Howden Reservoir in the Upper Derwent Valley in the Peak District has receding shores.

An aerial photograph taken with a drone of low water levels at Howden Reservoir, Britain, 29 July 2026.