At Hampton Court Palace, head gardener Graham Dillamore strode across the burnt beige grass.
The palace is in the southwest of London and was laid out in the 17th century.
“If we have a summer like this next year, by God, it’s going to be a struggle,” Dillamore said.
The gardens of stately homes are among England’s top visitor attractions. But their ancient trees are being damaged by climate change.
Mature trees that take decades to establish are drooping, and some have leaves turning brown in August in a reaction to excessive heat.
“Some of these trees have actually given up. They’re not going to come back; they’re finished,” Dillamore said.
