Monty Don, the well-known gardener and star of the BBC series Gardeners’ World, recently revealed the significant impact of a “major flood” at his home in Herefordshire. The flooding, attributed to severe weather conditions from Storm Claudia, inundated parts of his property, prompting Don to share images and video footage on social media over the weekend of November 15 and 16.
In an Instagram post, the 70-year-old gardener expressed gratitude that, despite the flooding affecting the area, his home sustained minimal damage. “There has been really bad flooding in this part of the country and homes and businesses have suffered very badly, so we are lucky that it is just the fields and garden that is wet here,” he wrote, alongside a photo showing high water levels near tree trunks.
Life in a Flood-Prone Area
Don’s property, known as Longmeadow, is situated adjacent to a river and water meadows, making it susceptible to flooding. He noted that while the flooding can be challenging, it also brings a unique beauty to the landscape. “We are right next to a river and water meadows so we are used to floods – and they have a transformative beauty,” he commented in another post, highlighting the lush greenery that remained unaffected.
The flooding followed a storm that dropped a month’s worth of rain in just 24 hours. “A little wet in the garden this morning after yesterday’s storm,” he remarked, illustrating the severity of the situation. Despite the adverse weather, Don’s golden retriever, Ned, appeared unfazed and enjoyed playing in the water. “The small matter of a major flood is not going to stop Ned retrieving his ball!” he quipped in a video shared with his followers.
This isn’t the first time Don has faced flooding at his home. Earlier this year, in January 2024, he and his wife, Sarah, found themselves trapped due to rising water levels. “We live on a flood plain, so flooding has always been part of life here,” he explained. “But it’s definitely got worse. It’s definitely got more frequent.” He expressed concern for his elderly neighbour, noting, “If anything had happened to him, it would have been a helicopter time, I guess.”
A Long Journey of Restoration
Monty and Sarah Don purchased Longmeadow in October 1991, transforming it from a derelict property into a thriving garden over the course of a decade. When they acquired the home, it was in a state of disrepair, lacking essential utilities. “When we bought this house, it was a ruin – no roof, electricity, running water or sanitation,” he recounted in an interview with The English Home.
Over the years, they have cultivated the garden and improved the home, creating a space filled with pruned box hedges and a large farmhouse kitchen. Don has shared that the ongoing challenges of heavy rainfall can hinder garden work, leading to muddy conditions. “Mostly all this rain just means mud, slippery paths and the frustration of not being able to get on with much work in the garden without making a terrible mess,” he noted in a blog entry.
As climate patterns continue to shift, the impact of such extreme weather events is becoming more apparent, affecting not only individual homeowners like Monty Don but communities across the region. His experiences underscore the growing challenges posed by climate change, particularly in areas prone to flooding.
