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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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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.
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…
Monastery of St John the Baptist

Address

The Old Rectory, Rectory Road, Tolleshunt Knights, CM9 8EZ

Tolleshunt Knights

The Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of St John the Baptist is an Orthodox monastic community composed of nuns and monks of various nationalities. The monastery was founded by Sophrony Sakharov, later canonised as Saint Sophrony. The calm…
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…
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.
Southminster War Memorial

Address

St Leonard's Church, Station Rd, Southminster, Essex, CM10 7EW

Telephone
01621 772300

vicar@stleonardsouthminster.org.uk

Southminster

Southminster War Memorial is a 2.4m obelisk in the grounds of St Leonard's Church, bearing the names of 75 casualties of war.
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.
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…
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.
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 Maeldune Heritage Centre

Address

St Peter’s Tower, Market Hill, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4PZ

Telephone
01621 851628

info@maelduneheritagecentre.co.uk

Maldon

The Maeldune Heritage Centre, set in the beautiful old St Peter's Church, is one of Maldon's most fascinating visitor attractions, mixing local history, temporary art and craft exhibitions, tourism information and the permanent home of the…
St Giles Leper Hospital Remains

Address

Spital Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6EA

Telephone
01621 857373

administration@maldontowncouncil.gov.uk

Maldon

Remains of an ancient Leper Hospital said to have been founded in 1164 by Henry II.
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…
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,…
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 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…
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…
Tollesbury Village Lock-Up "The Cage"

Address

The Square, Church Street, Tollesbury, CM9 8QJ

Tollesbury

Tollesbury's little prison was opened in 1700 and was in operation for around a century as a holding cell for accused prisoners and as a lock-up for drunken locals. Sometimes called The Cage, the tiny building can be found by the churchyard wall of…
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.
The Barn Church

Address

52 Prince of Wales Road, Great Totham, Essex, CM9 8PX

Telephone
01621 893085

Great Totham

Totham Barn Chapel Evangelical Free Church is a grade II listed building. It has a small but active fellowship and regular meetings.

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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