D'Arcy Hall

   D'Arcy Hall is a moated house situated just South of the Village Church (St. Nicholas, Tolleshunt D'Arcy)

   The house was originally the residence of the D'Arcy family. The building was started by the D'Arcy family who intermarried with the De Boys family in the 15th Century.

   The village would seem to have its name from Tolleshunt - a derivation of Toll's Funt (or fountain), and the D'Arcy family. There is a previous reference to Tolleshunt Boys. Not long ago a source of pure water would have been a necessity, whether from a well or a spring.

   The house was begun in about 1450. It is possible that the original bridge over the moat was a drawbridge. However the present bridge of brick and stone dates from about 1585.  

   The avenue at the entrance to D'Arcy Hall contains a row of D'Arcy Spice Trees. The D'Arcy Spice apple was first found in the garden of the Hall at Tolleshunt D'Arcy in 1880; they are a late russet variety which is picked in November and keeps until May.

27 - 07 -2002