A Guardian photo gallery shows how drought conditions are affecting sporting venues across the UK, leaving football, cricket, golf and polo grounds visibly parched. The images underline the pressure prolonged dry weather places on community sport, grounds maintenance and water supplies, while highlighting contrasts between natural grass surfaces and irrigated or artificial areas.

Photographs from London, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Berkshire, Dorset, Wales and West Sussex show browned pitches, dried-up lakes and fairways, and cricket grounds with green prepared wickets surrounded by yellow grass. Some venues retain vivid green areas through maintenance or irrigation, including a golf green and Goodwood’s racetrack, while an artificial hockey pitch at Marlow stands out beside desiccated neighbouring cricket fields.