More than 170 bombs from World War II have been discovered beneath a children’s playground in Wooler, Northumberland, a small town in northern England. Officials believe there could be more buried in the area, posing a serious challenge for local authorities and safety experts.
The shocking discovery began in January, when construction workers updating the playground unearthed a suspicious object while digging the foundation. After further investigation, a total of 176 bombs—many of them still containing live charges—were found buried under the playground.
How the Bombs Were Discovered
The playground renovation project took an unexpected turn when workers encountered what appeared to be a buried explosive. The suspicious find prompted local authorities to call in Brimstone Site Investigations, a team of experts specializing in detecting and removing unexploded ordnance (UXO).
“It’s quite something to think that children have been playing on bombs,” said local councilor Mark Mather. He described the situation as “challenging,” given the scale of the problem.
What Types of Bombs Were Found?
Officials confirmed that most of the bombs were practice ordnance used for military training.
- 65 practice bombs weighing about 10 pounds each were recovered from an area of less than 10 square meters.
- Another 90 bombs were found in a nearby 20-square-foot area, alongside smoke cartridges used for training exercises.
The bombs are believed to date back to World War II, when the site was likely used as a Home Guard training ground. At the end of the war, leftover practice bombs were buried and forgotten—until now.
Safety Concerns and the Cleanup Effort
The unexpected size of the discovery has significantly delayed the cleanup process. The initial survey was expected to take just two days, but with more ordnance than anticipated, officials now estimate that work will continue through mid-February.
Despite the urgency of the situation, councilor Mark Mather expressed frustration over the lack of support from the Army. “The Army will not support us in any way, either looking for the ordnance or removing it, which has been extremely disappointing,” he said.
The Northumberland County Council has agreed to cover the cost of the cleanup. A spokesperson for the council said, “Clearly this find was unexpected, but we are pleased to have been able to find the extra funding to allow this crucial work to be done safely.”
Risks of Unexploded World War II Bombs
Unexploded bombs (UXOs) from World War II are a persistent problem in many areas of Europe, particularly in places that were used for military training or heavily bombed during the war. Although practice bombs generally contain less explosive material than live bombs, they can still pose serious risks if disturbed.
In some cases, these bombs have detonated unexpectedly:
- In October 2023, a bomb dropped by the U.S. during World War II exploded at an airport in Japan, creating a large crater on the runway.
- In February 2023, another World War II bomb detonated in Great Yarmouth, England, during a controlled disposal attempt.
Who Will Pay for the Cleanup?
The financial responsibility for the bomb disposal is still under discussion. Local officials initially struggled to find a solution, but the Northumberland County Council has stepped in to cover the costs.
Despite requests for assistance, the Army has declined to help with either locating or disposing of the bombs. The Ministry of Defense confirmed that its team visited the site twice in January but did not comment on the local council’s complaints about lack of support.
The discovery of more than 170 World War II bombs beneath a playground in northern England highlights the ongoing risks of unexploded ordnance decades after the war.
As cleanup efforts continue, local authorities are working to ensure the area is safe for children to return. However, the incident also raises questions about the long-term management of former military training grounds and the financial burden of dealing with such hazardous finds.
With work expected to continue through February, officials are hopeful that no further risks will arise, but they remain prepared for the possibility of uncovering additional bombs.
