You are here: Discover > History & Heritage > Famous People > Margery Allingham

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.

Searching for something...

Accommodation
Things to Do
What's On
Food & Drink

Accommodation Search

Things to Do Search

What's On Search

Food & Drink Search

Follow in her footsteps...

Inspiration

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.

Number of results: 100

, currently showing 1 to 20.

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

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 Mary the Virgin

Address

Church Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8QB

Telephone
01621 786066

stmaryschurchburnham@outlook.com

Burnham-on-Crouch

Affectionately known as St Mary's, there has been a church on this site since 1155, possibly even earlier, and as such the fabric of the building reflects a long and eventful history.
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…
The Moot Hall

Address

High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5PF

Telephone
01621 851553

manager@themoothall.co.uk

Maldon

This 15th Century former manorial home houses a unique brick spiral staircase, a Georgian court room, a former prison and a Victorian Council Chamber.
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…
The Quaker Hall

Address

Butt Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HD

contact@midessexquakers.org.uk

Maldon

The Quaker Hall
Burnham United Reformed Church URC

Address

Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8HF

Telephone
01621 783393

Burnham-on-Crouch

Burnham-on-Crouch United Reformed Church (URC) has a modern building in Station Road and meets for worship on Sunday mornings at 10.30am as well as hosting a wide range of groups and events throughout the week, including youth clubs, children's…
St Margaret's Church Woodham Mortimer

Address

Maldon Road, Woodham Mortimer, CM9 6SN

Woodham Mortimer

Pretty St Margaret's Church dates from the 12th century, but the majority of the Grade II Listed building was reconstructed in the 19th century. Features include a 13th century font and an interesting graveyard with an impressive raised memorial to…
St Mary the Virgin church Tollesbury

Address

Church Street, Tollesbury, CM9 8QJ

Telephone
07908 776750

office.blackwaterbenefice@gmail.com

Tollesbury

St Mary the Virgin is a beautiful Grade II* Listed church in the village of Tollesbury. The nave and part of the tower date back to the 11th century and incorporate reused Roman bricks and tiles. Inside there is an interesting font and brass and the…
Woodham Mortimer Hall - Blue Plaque Site

Address

Woodham Mortimer Hall, Maldon Road, Woodham Mortimer, CM9 6SN

Woodham Mortimer

Woodham Mortimer Hall is a private home, with no public access. The 15th century hall with its distinctive brick chimneys, heavily redeveloped in the early 17th century, was the home of obstetrician Dr Peter Chamberlen whose family invented the…
St Lawrence Heritage Church

Address

Saint Lawrence Hill, Steeple, Essex, CM0 7LN

Telephone
01621 776203

Steeple

This active rural parish church, situated on a hilltop overlooking the Blackwater Estuary provides exhibitions and community activities. Light refreshments available.
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…
Combined Military Services Museum

Address

Station Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4LQ

Telephone
01621 841826

admin@cmsm.co.uk

Maldon

An award winning collection of British military artefacts from the English Civil War to today. Collections focus on the Special Forces, espionage, uniforms, medals, swords, and the Donnington Firearms Collection of over 700 guns.
St Andrew's Church, Althorne

Address

Fambridge Road, Althorne, Essex, CM3 6BY

lucientaylor@yahoo.co.uk

Althorne

St Andrew's is a Grade II listed building with a tower dating back to around 1500, although it is in need of restoration and funds are being raised. It has a modern church hall available for hire.
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.
Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation Sea Lock

Address

Lock Hill, Heybridge Basin, CM9 4RX

Heybridge Basin

Heybridge Basin's famous sea lock links the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation to the Blackwater Estuary and would once have enabled smaller boats to enter and exit the canal and travel around the coastline. Today it is can still be used by suitable…
Woodham Walter War Memorials & Commonwealth War Graves

Address

Woodham Walter, CM9 6RF

Woodham Walter

War memorials in the village of Woodham Walter include a Memorial Shelter, a Memorial Garden and a Memorial Clock on the parish church. The churchyard also contains two Commonwealth War Graves.
Elim Church Maldon (Pentecostal)

Address

17 Wantz Road, Maldon, CM9 5DB

Telephone
07940 830855

rob_sefton@hotmail.com

Maldon

Maldon's Elim Pentecostal Church is the home of the Maldon Food Pantry food bank as well as a centre for worship. Normal Sunday services are at 11:00 and all are very welcome.
All Saints' Church, Maldon

Address

High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4QE

Telephone
01621 853470

Maldon

Our doors are open to everybody of all faiths – all are welcome in this house. Come along to one (or more) of our services or any of the many events held in this beautiful old building. We guarantee you a warm and friendly reception.
Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome

Address

Hackman's Lane, Purleigh, Essex, CM3 6RN

Telephone
01245 329358

info@stowmaries.org.uk

Purleigh

Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome is a unique place with a unique history. It is the largest known surviving group of RFC buildings on a WWI aerodrome which was not adapted for further military use later in its history.

Margery Allingham

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

Inspiration

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone