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Margery Allingham

One of the “Queens of Crime”, this Tolleshunt D'Arcy novelist was famous for her fictional detective Albert Campion

Allingham started writing in childhood, and her first novel, Blackkerchief Dick, an occult story allegedly based on a tale she had heard during a séance, was published in 1923. Her breakthrough occurred in 1929, however, with the publication of her first detective story, The Crime at Black Dudley. Although a fairly minor character in her first book, the detective Albert Campion caught the public’s attention and he returned in her next book Mystery Mile. He proved such a successful character that he became the centrepiece of another 17 novels and more than 20 short stories, continuing into the 1960s.

In 1941, Allingham published a non-fiction work, The Oaken Heart, in which she describes her experiences in Tolleshunt D’Arcy (which she nicknames Auburn) as the locals and troops prepared for the possibility of a German invasion. Allingham was heavily involved in the war effort as village billeting officer and first aid organiser, and her house became the Air Raid Precautions Post and accommodation for troops.

Allingham died from cancer in 1966, aged 62, and her final Campion novel, Cargo of Eagles, was completed by her husband at her request. She is buried in St Nicholas’ new churchyard, on the opposite side of the road from the church and to the south.

Her literary legacy regards her as one of the “Queens of Crime” from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, alongside Agatha Christie, Dorothy L Sayers and Ngaio Marsh.

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D'Arcy House

A blue plaque marks D'Arcy House as the home of famous novelist Margery Allingham who wrote the Albert Campion detective stories.
St Nicholas's, Tolleshunt D'Arcy

St Nicholas Church is Grade I listed. Its churchyard extension, a little way up the road, has three Commonwealth War Graves.
Tolleshunt D'Arcy Maypole

In the middle of the road junction in Tolleshunt D'Arcy stands the village maypole, one of the few remaining original maypoles to be found. The bottom has been protected by a wooden cage.

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All Saints' Church, Tolleshunt Knights

Address

Rectory Road, Tolleshunt Knights, CM9 8HF

Tolleshunt Knights

This 12th century Grade II* Listed church is now owned by the nearby Orthodox Monastery of St John the Baptist. The churchyard has two Commonwealth War Graves.
Maldon War Memorial

Address

Outside All Saints Church, High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PF

Maldon

The war memorial in Maldon stands in the High Street outside All Saints Church and is a Grade II Listed white stone cross on a plinth and base, with bronze plaques set into the design. It was designed by Chelmsford Architect Wykeham Chancellor and…
Buoys of Burnham-on-Crouch

Address

Various locations:, Burnham Yacht Harbour in Foundry Lane, Belvedere Road and Coronation Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8BL

Belvedere Road and Coronation Road, Burnham-on-Crouch

If you walk around Burnham-on-Crouch look out for the three large buoys that now decorate the street scene. These historic buoys were once out in the water of the Crouch estuary, helping to guide ships safetly home, but when they were replaced at…
The Museum in the Park

Address

47 Mill Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HX

Telephone
07973 559981

enquiries@maldonmuseum.org.uk

Maldon

The trademark Penny Farthing bicycle entices visitors to explore the treasures of this compact museum. Housed over two floors of the former Park Keepers Lodge, the exhibits are wide ranging. The replica waistcoat of the Fat Man of Maldon, which…
Purleigh War Memorial

Address

All Saints Church, Church Hill, Purleigh, CM3 6QJ

Purleigh

The war memorial at Purleigh stands in the graveyard extension opposite the Grade I Listed All Saints Church and takes the form of a 10ft granite obelisk on a three-stepped base, built by Wray & Fuller of Chelmsford. It commemorates the lives of 25…
Mangapps Railway Museum

Address

Southminster Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8QG

Telephone
01621 784898

jjmangapps@gmail.com

Burnham-on-Crouch

Extensive working railway museum including locomotives, carriages, wagons, historic buildings, memorabilia and a major collection of signalling equipment. Much of the collection is under cover. Train rides are available every open day.
Great & Little Braxted & Wickham Bishops War Memorial

Address

Junction of Beacon Hill and Kelvedon Road, Wickham Bishops, CM8 3HW

Wickham Bishops

Great Braxted, Little Braxted and Wickham Bishops war memorial is a Grade II listed stone memorial with a tall, hexagonal pillar topped with an orb and cross, standing on a three-step hexagonal plinth. The memorial was given to the area by Mr and…
Maldon Methodist Church

Address

135A High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5BS

Telephone
01621 853423

mwbarrya@mweb.co.za

Maldon

Maldon Methodist Church has a varied programme of worship and activities. The main Sunday service is at 10:30 which features both traditional and modern hymns, with occasional livelier services aimed at young families. There are regular coffee…
St Mary's Chapel

Address

Braxted Road, Little Braxted, CM8 3LD

Little Braxted

The great church artist Ernest Geldart was Rector of Little Braxted from 1883 to 1900, and he built this little chapel beside his Rectory in 1885 during a time when he was incapacitated after breaking a leg.
Maldon Cemetery & Commonwealth War Graves

Address

London Road, Maldon, CM9 6LJ

Maldon

Maldon Cemetery dates back to 1855 and the older parts of the cemetery are both havens for wildlife and fascinating places to visit. The cemetery is home to 21 Commonwealth War Graves.
Bradwell-on-sea Shell Bank Nature Reserve and Mulberry Harbour remains

Address

East End Road, Bradwell-on-Sea, CM0 7PN

Bradwell-on-Sea

The Cockle Spit is a massive and ever-moving bank made from cockle and oyster shells. It's managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust and is visited by a huge number of wading birds. From here you can see concrete barges from the Second World War, used in…
St Mary's Church, Mundon

Address

Vicarage Lane, Mundon, Essex, CM9 6PA

Mundon

The church of St. Mary in Mundon is cared for by the Friends of Friendless Churches and it is now conserved as a Grade 1 listed medieval church. After a major programme of restoration and repair it is once again open to the public daily.
St Peter's Church, Goldhanger

Address

Church Street, Goldhanger, Essex, CM9 8AS

Goldhanger

St. Peter’s Church is central to the spirit of the village and the close community here. We hold services on the second Sunday of the month at 10:00am and a family service every other week.
Fullbridge Church

Address

27 Fullbridge, Heybridge, CM9 4LE

Telephone
01621 852284

hello@fullbridgechurch.org.uk

Heybridge

Fullbridge Evangelical Church has been on its present site since 1937, and has its origins in the Brethren movement which started around 1830. It has a wide range of activities and community outreach.
RAF Bradwell Bay

Address

Trusses Road, Bradwell-on-Sea, CM0 7QS

Bradwell-on-Sea

RAF Bradwell Bay is a former Royal Air Force station located on the Dengie Peninsular, approximately 9.5 miles east of Maldon. It is the site of a war memorial to the 121 members of the Allied Air Forces who "in answer to the call of duty left this…
Braxted Bakery Miniature Railway

Address

Homefield House, Witham Road, Little Braxted, Essex, CM8 3ET

Telephone
07740117688

thebraxtedbakery@hotmail.co.uk

Little Braxted

A recent addition to the charming Braxted Bakery is this quaint minitature railway which runs on site next the bakery!
Started off as hobby by the bakery owners, the railway is now open to passengers and will be open alongside the bakery to…
St Barnabas Church

Address

Mayland Hill, Mayland, Essex, CM3 6DZ

Telephone
01621 742596

sallyannwood@hotmail.com

Mayland

St Barnabas Church is located a short drive away from the residential area of the village with spectacular views of the neighbouring farms and fields. The church is nestled in a well kept churchyard with six Commonwealth War Graves, and many…
All Saints' Church, Gt Braxted

Address

Church Chase, Great Braxted, Essex, CM8 3EW

Telephone
01621 819557

thurstableteamadmin@btinternet.com

Great Braxted

The medieval church features a Nave and Chancel from the 12th century and is situated within the 2,000-acre Braxted Park estate. The churchyard is home to the Commonwealth War Grave of Brigadier General Hubert John Du Cane.
Rickett's Lock

Address

Ulting Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6QB

Maldon

Rickett's Lock and Gates is a Grade II listed site serving watercraft travelling along the River Chelmer, between Chelmsford and Maldon.
The site was first listed by Historic England in November 1985, and was constructed in around 1797 by engineer…
Former Maldon Union Workhouse

Address

St Peter's Hospital, Spital Rd, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6EG

Maldon

Today, St Peter's Hospital in Spital Road is a valuable NHS centre, but the grand buildings have an interesting history. Built in 1872 to replace the smaller workhouse on Market Hill, the new Union Workhouse could hold up to 450 inmates and had its…

Margery Allingham

One of the “Queens of Crime”, this Tolleshunt D'Arcy novelist was famous for her fictional detective Albert Campion

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