In 2010 Ann Widdecombe swapped London for the secluded Dartmoor village of Haytor after buying a five-bedroom chalet-bungalow tucked away from civilisation18:17, 10 Jul 2026Updated 18:17, 10 Jul 2026A little over 15 years ago, Ann Widdecombe traded the corridors of power for a more tranquil life in the countryside.‌In 2010 the political firebrand - never one to shy away from life in the public eye - swapped London for the secluded Dartmoor village of Haytor. Intent on a quieter existence overlooking the Dartmoor countryside, she bought a five-bedroom chalet-bungalow tucked away from civilisation.‌But now the isolated home where she chose to spend her twilight years is at the centre of a murder investigation. Police in Devon today confirmed the 78-year-old former Tory minister turned Reform UK politician and TV star was found dead from "serious injuries" in the sprawling property. A 26-year-old white British man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.‌Speaking in 2019, Widdecombe told how she was "always determined not to retire in London" and instead chose "somewhere that had a homely feel, with views and birds in the garden". Indeed, Haytor hits the spot. Isolated from the rest of the world, life in the secluded village could not be any more different to that of SW1.Boasting just one hotel, the nearest M&S Simply Food is more than five miles away. Exeter, the nearest city, is more than 40 minutes away in a car. Her front room overlooks a large garden with a pond surrounded by gnomes, her sitting room decorated with bright red carpet.‌Widdecombe spent her time in the "bleakness" of the Dartmoor hills, saying she relished walking without "seeing another human being all day". Speaking of her new home, Widdecombe said: "I chose a five-bedroom 1970s chalet bungalow near Haytor, on Dartmoor."It was a choice between that and the northwest Scottish Highlands, but I felt the Highlands were too remote. Besides, I had always wanted to move to this part of the world. My parents were born in Devon, so I was brought here as a child and we always walked on Dartmoor.‌"I love the bleakness. I still go walking across the moors and sometimes don’t see another human being all day, which is very restful."But despite calling time on life in Westminster, Widdecombe did not end her time in public life. She went on to take part in Celebrity Big Brother, Strictly Come Dancing and even starred in panto. Until her death, she made fortnightly trips to London to appear on GB News.‌The appearance fee on Strictly even helped her pay for a swimming pool in her sprawling Dartmoor home. She said: "I’d always wanted a heated swimming pool, and I got it by taking part in Strictly Come Dancing."People always ask how many lengths I do, but I don’t regard it as a source of exercise. It’s a place to relax. I have friends and family who like to do 40 lengths before breakfast… Oh, spare me."Now the tranquility has been shattered by Widdecombe's suspected murder. Currently hovering over her home is a Sky News helicopter. Outside her front door are uniformed officers and broadcast journalists.Article continues belowAnd inside are forensic units trying to unpick the final tragic moments of a woman who had a remarkable life in politics.