Broadwoodwidger

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Broadwoodwidger is a village and civil parish in the Torridge district of Devon, England. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 548. The village is just off the A30 road, and is about eight miles east of Launceston in Cornwall, and 13 miles west of Okehampton. Roadford Reservoir, which is also called Roadford Lake, is to the north-east of the village, and the River Wolf passes at the bottom of the hillside on which the village stands.

Broadwoodwidger has a lovely church on top of the hill, with good views to Brentor and surrounding countryside. There is a village green, phone box, bus shelter and post box. The parish has a small primary school three miles north of the village at Ivyhouse Cross. The church is 15th century, with some 13th century features such as the tower and chancel. There is also a Norman font, and benches with carvings of curious animals.

It is believed that the Widger part of the name derives from a notorious cattle thief who lived nearby, perhaps in the hamlet of Upcott. There was also the Widger gang in nineteenth century US, so perhaps that is where he or his descendants ended up.