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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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Religious Society of Friends

Address

Friends Meeting House (Quaker Church), Butt Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HD

Telephone
01621 854056

Maldon

Maldon’s Quaker Meeting House was built in 1821. It comprises two separate rooms; originally one for women and one for men, but now everyone worships together. The Georgian benches and tiered elders’ benches remain.
Tolleshunt D'Arcy Maypole

Address

Opposite 17 North Street, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, CM9 8TF

Tolleshunt D'Arcy

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.
Maylands Baptist Church

Address

St Barnabas Family Centre, Imperial Avenue, Mayland, Essex, CM3 6AH

Telephone
01621 741770

Mayland

Maylands Baptist Church is a small, friendly fellowship enjoying a relaxed, informal style of worship. With no regular Pastor, the congregation enjoys a variety of preachers and speakers from many Christian sources and organisations. These often…
Thomas Plume’s Library

Address

Plume Building, Market Hill, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4PZ

Telephone
01621 854850

info@thomasplumeslibrary.co.uk

Maldon

Founded in 1704 this historic library still houses Thomas Plume’s books and his small collection of paintings.
St Nicholas Tillingham; including War Memorial & Commonwealth War Graves

Address

The Square, Tillingham, Essex, CM07SU

Telephone
01621 779620

Tillingham

This Grade II listed parish church has a beautiful setting in the village square in Tillingham, surrounded by white weatherboarded cottages. It is also home to the village's war memorials.
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.
The Chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall

Address

East End Road, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, CM0 7PW

stpeterschapel@outlook.com

Bradwell-on-Sea

This ancient Saxon chapel is the oldest church in England built by St Cedd in 654AD, it is one of the most restful and spiritual buildings in the country, a place to bring you peace and tranquillity. The old Saxon quote on the Chapel sign ‘In this…
Museum of Power

Address

Steam Pumping Station, Hatfield Road, Langford, Essex, CM9 6QA

Telephone
01621 843183

enquiries@museumofpower.org.uk

Langford

Housed in a former water pumping station, the museum has a fascinating collection of power related exhibits, a tea room and picnic area, a miniature railway all set in attractive riverside grounds.
Maldon East and Heybridge Railway Station (Disused)

Address

Station House, Station Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4LQ

Maldon

Maldon East and Heybridge railway station served the town of Maldon and nearby village of Heybridge between 1848 and 1964.
St Lawrence & All Saints Church, Steeple

Address

The Street, Steeple, Essex, CM0 7RH

Steeple

The Grade II Listed parish church was built in 1884 and has a timber framed steeple, shingled spire and a 15th century font. The church contains two white marble War Memorial tablets.
St Andrew's Church

Address

The Street, Heybridge, Essex, CM9 4NB

Telephone
01621 857004

Heybridge

A Grade I Listed building, this 12th century church was restored during the 15th century to its present condition. Seating for 200 including choir, with wheel chair access and hearing aid loop system.
All Saints' Church, Creeksea

Address

Ferry Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8PQ

Telephone
01621 783963

vera.wadman@allsaintscreeksea.org.uk

Burnham-on-Crouch

All Saints' Church at Creeksea lies in an idyllic setting with beautiful views over the River Crouch. The current church building dates from the 1870s although there has been a church on this site since the 13th century.
Tommy Garden War Memorial

Address

Corner of Chapel Road and High Street, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8AA

Burnham-on-Crouch

Burnham’s Memorial Garden, known locally as the Tommy Garden, is a little haven of peace and quiet dedicated to the memories of soldiers who died in the First World War. On the corner of Chapel Road, within sight of the main war memorial, the garden…
St Giles Church

Address

Maldon Road, Langford, CM9 4SS

Langford

St Giles' is a unique Grade II* Listed parish church dating from the late 11th century, with an unusual apse at the western end.
Maldon United Reformed Church URC

Address

Market Hill, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4PZ

Telephone
01621 859365

info@maldonurc.org.uk

Maldon

The original modest chapel on this site was replaced by this handsome building in 1801. This was as a result of the popularity of the resident preacher Reverend Joseph Billio. His enthusiasm and inspirational energy had caused the congregation to…
St Nicholas Church

Address

Little Braxted Lane, Little Braxted, Essex, CM8 3EU

Little Braxted

St. Nicholas in Little Braxted is one of the smallest churches in Essex and was built in the early 12th century. It is richly and beautifully decorated throughout.
Salvation Army Citadel

Address

12 Wantz Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5DE

Telephone
01621 840088

maldon@salvationarmy.org.uk

Maldon

The building in Wantz Road has been used by the Salvation Army for many years as our place of Worship and Christian Service. Our regular Sunday morning service is at 10.30am with various events throughout the week, including our toddler group on…
St Stephens Church

Address

St Stephen's Road, Cold Norton, Essex, CM3 6NP

Telephone
01621 742947

sandra.manley@btinternet.com

Cold Norton

A small church situated on the edge of the village of Cold Norton.
The Assumption of our Lady, RC Church

Address

60A Victoria Rd, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HF

Telephone
01621 852259

maldon@brcdt.org

Maldon

The Assumption of Our Lady Roman Catholic Church in Maldon was opened in 1925, replacing a temporary place of worship that had been set up in and old converted Forge in Silver Street.
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…

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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