The site, located in the parish of Eggbuckland, was originally known as Wida, Wide, or Widhi. This was due to the presence of withy beds that grew near a spring still in existence.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/642fd4bee50ae52dfba61ea8/645cae9a7e15f5c090a0a64a_637f99b9ce071a4fe7a72e9d_Widey%20Court-2-p-800.jpg)
The house was initially under the ownership of a Saxon named Wadelo. As time progressed, it was passed on to the Norman Lord, Robert Albemarle.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/642fd4bee50ae52dfba61ea8/645cae9a7e15f5c090a0a64a_637f99b9ce071a4fe7a72e9d_Widey%20Court-2-p-800.jpg)
A significant milestone saw Sir Francis Drake embarking on a project to divert water from Dartmoor to Plymouth. He initiated the building of six grist mills, including two at Widey.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/642fd4bee50ae52dfba61ea8/645cae9a7e15f5c090a0a64a_637f99b9ce071a4fe7a72e9d_Widey%20Court-2-p-800.jpg)
Widey Court gained prominence when King Charles I selected it as his headquarters during the Civil War. It became a strategic location with multiple regiments stationed around Plymouth.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/642fd4bee50ae52dfba61ea8/645cae9a7e15f5c090a0a64a_637f99b9ce071a4fe7a72e9d_Widey%20Court-2-p-800.jpg)
The King's nephew, Prince Maurice, launched an attack on Plymouth from Widey. Despite their efforts, they faced defeat at Freedom Fields, an event annually commemorated by the Old Plymouth Society.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/642fd4bee50ae52dfba61ea8/652d409c28baab12e7f43c43_645cae9a7e15f5c090a0a64a_637f99b9ce071a4fe7a72e9d_Widey%20Court-2-p-800.jpg)
In memory of King Charles I's visit, Yeoman Hele planted a yew tree at Widey Court, later shaping it into the form of a heart.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/642fd4bee50ae52dfba61ea8/652d409c28baab12e7f43c43_645cae9a7e15f5c090a0a64a_637f99b9ce071a4fe7a72e9d_Widey%20Court-2-p-800.jpg)
Legends tell of King Charles II taking refuge in a stable at Higher Widey during his flight from England.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/642fd4bee50ae52dfba61ea8/652d409c28baab12e7f43c43_645cae9a7e15f5c090a0a64a_637f99b9ce071a4fe7a72e9d_Widey%20Court-2-p-800.jpg)
The Morshead family became the custodians of Widey Court for many generations during this era.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/642fd4bee50ae52dfba61ea8/652d409c28baab12e7f43c43_645cae9a7e15f5c090a0a64a_637f99b9ce071a4fe7a72e9d_Widey%20Court-2-p-800.jpg)
The St. Aubyn Estate took ownership of Widey Court, marking a change in its proprietorship.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/642fd4bee50ae52dfba61ea8/652d409c28baab12e7f43c43_645cae9a7e15f5c090a0a64a_637f99b9ce071a4fe7a72e9d_Widey%20Court-2-p-800.jpg)
During WWII, the house was requisitioned for use by the City Police. It became home to Sergeant Benjamin Ernest Frowde and his family. It also served as a training ground for War Reserve Policemen.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/642fd4bee50ae52dfba61ea8/652d409c28baab12e7f43c43_645cae9a7e15f5c090a0a64a_637f99b9ce071a4fe7a72e9d_Widey%20Court-2-p-800.jpg)
The historical Widey Court was demolished. In its place rose the Widey Court Primary School, preserving the legacy of the site.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/642fd4bee50ae52dfba61ea8/652d409c28baab12e7f43c43_645cae9a7e15f5c090a0a64a_637f99b9ce071a4fe7a72e9d_Widey%20Court-2-p-800.jpg)
In a move to honor the past, stone gate columns from the now-demolished Widey Lodge were erected near the Manadon roundabout. "Widey Court Walk" officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Plymouth.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/642fd4bee50ae52dfba61ea8/652d409c28baab12e7f43c43_645cae9a7e15f5c090a0a64a_637f99b9ce071a4fe7a72e9d_Widey%20Court-2-p-800.jpg)