Widecombe in the Moor Hunting Lodge

Has been described as a Questionable Palace (Royal)

There are no visible remains

NameWidecombe in the Moor Hunting Lodge
Alternative NamesKingshead; Kinsette; North Hall
Historic CountryDevonshire
Modern AuthorityDevon
1974 AuthorityDevon
Civil ParishWidecombe in the Moor

Kingshead is first recorded in 1333 as 'Kinsette' (King's seat) and would be a favourable position for a royal hunting lodge, probably pre-dating the Disafforestation of Dartmoor Forest in 1204. The rural longhouse at Kingshead Farm is of great antiquity and probably the first longhouse built on the site. (PastScape–ref. Hemery)

Gatehouse Comments

The evidence for a royal hunting lodge here seems somewhat weak and the given location doesn't really seem large enough even for an early royal hunting lodge. This is in the centre of the moor and, generally, hunting lodges for upland moor areas sat on the edge of the moor. The place name origin does need to be explained but this seems unlikely as a royal hunting lodge.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

This is a Grade 2 listed building protected by law

Historic England Scheduled Monument Number
Historic England Listed Building number(s)
Images Of England
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSX712775
Latitude50.5839195251465
Longitude-3.8206799030304
Eastings271200
Northings77580
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Hemery, E., 1983, High Dartmoor (London: Robert Hale) p. 677-9