Blast from the past averted as wartime explosives discovered at Castle Howard grounds

HUNDREDS of Second World War explosives have been uncovered in the grounds of one of Yorkshire’s most famous stately homes.

The Royal Engineer Bomb Disposal Unit was called to woodland on the Castle Howard estate after a member of staff spotted what they believed to be a bomb. The bomb disposal experts found almost 275 rounds of Blacker Bombard practice rounds, which were partially buried in the undergrowth.

Sgt Scott Docherty, who led 101 (City of London) Engineer Regiment bomb disposal, said: “The Blacker Bombards were issued to the Home Guard, and these practice rounds would have been used for training purposes in readiness for a German invasion. Given the hillside location of the find it is likely that the spot was a Home Guard lookout station. The training would have taken place there and the ordnance most certainly just left behind.”

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The bombs are not considered to be high risk, although they will be destroyed by the team. The Royal Engineers also dug up 18 concrete-filled “dummy” anti-tank mines.

The discovery on Friday was particularly timely for Castle Howard’s curator Dr Christopher Ridgway, who is researching a new exhibition called The Country House at War.