How does Sir Rod's grass stay so green? Stewart's mini golf course is an oasis during record-breaking drought

By MARK DUELL, DEPUTY CHIEF REPORTER (DIGITAL) Published: 00:51, 11 August 2026 | Updated: 00:56, 11 August 2026 Millions of gardens across the drought-hit country have turned brown in recent months due to the relentlessly hot and dry weather. But the grass is still very much alive outside Sir Rod Stewart's Grade II-listed mansion as he has maintained his piece of England's green and pleasant land in Essex. Aerial photographs show the land around the 81-year-old singer's 18th-century property, which he bought for £4.65million in 2013, is still extremely green. His ten-bedroom home opens out onto a range of sprawling gardens and includes a mini golf course with a fairway, two bunkers and a luscious putting green. There is also an artificial football pitch with a 20-space car park which Sir Rod had installed at the property before moving in with wife Penny Lancaster in 2016. Sir Rod's property is supplied by Affinity Water which introduced a hosepipe ban across its central region including Essex on July 17 due to the weather conditions. Eight other water companies have brought in bans which mean customers are legally banned from using hosepipes to water gardens or wash cars, patios or boats. There is no evidence Sir Rod has breached a ban, given there are many workarounds for watering grass such as using a watering can. He may also have an exemption. Sir Rod Stewart’s Grade II-listed mansion has very green gardens despite the dry weather Sir Rod's mini golf course features a fairway, two bunkers and a luscious putting green The property in Essex has an artificial football pitch with a 20-space car park Sir Rod's ten-bedroom home opens out onto a range of sprawling gardens The 81-year-old singer bought the 18th-century property for £4.65million in 2013 Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Drought was declared last month for all of Wales and more than half of England – and a sixth heatwave of the year is on the way later this week with 36C highs.  Back in August 2006, Sir Rod risked a £1,000 fine when he was caught flouting the hosepipe ban at his previous £6million property Copped Hall, in Epping Forest. His spokesman said he was using an underground irrigation system, but Sir Rod's then-provider Three Valleys Water confirmed this was prohibited under the ban. Sir Rod later told the Mirror that November: 'This summer has caused a lot of trouble as it didn't rain for months. Every garden was burnt, every flower dried out. 'Water was rationed, watering was banned. Only my football pitch was a beautiful, lush green. Because, naturally, I continued to water it.' After being warned about a fine, Sir Rod said: 'I'll take that on board if it happens. For me there's hardly anything more beautiful than to walk across my tended grass.' He sold Copped Hall for £4million in 2019. Sir Rod's representative was contacted for comment by the Daily Mail yesterday. Affinity Water declined to comment.