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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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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…
Former Maldon Workhouse

Address

Hillside, Market Hill, Maldon, CM9 4QL

Maldon

As you walk up or down Market Hill, among the many historic buildings is a collection of Listed townhouses opposite the Market Hill Garden, just below Cromwell Lane. Now elegant, private homes, these buildings were once a single institution,…
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.
Beeleigh Steam Mill

Address

Abbey Turning, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6LL

Telephone
0345 603 7624

Maldon

By appointment. Beeleigh mill was a large flour mill on the river Chelmer near Maldon, Essex. It had two water wheels driving 10 stones (later 12), to which was added a separate building which housed a steam-powered beam engine driving five…
Burnham Clock Tower

Address

High Street, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8AA

Burnham-on-Crouch
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.
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…
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…
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…
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 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…
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…
Othona Community

Address

East Hall Farm, East End Road, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, CM0 7PN

Telephone
01621 776564

bradwell@othona.org

Bradwell-on-Sea

Othona is an open and inclusive Community rooted in the Christian tradition and drawing on a wealth of other inspirations.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Northey Island

Address

Northey Cottage, Northey Island, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6PP

northeyisland@nationaltrust.org.uk

Maldon

Northey is an island in the Blackwater Estuary in Essex, connected to the mainland by a causeway that is covered by the tide twice every day. It is a Site of special scientific interest with a large area of undisturbed Saltmarsh. It is also the site…

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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