Tintin fans and tourists can now visit the historic 17th century grave associated with Captain Haddock in Essex

A 17th-century English grave associated with the beloved Tintin comics has been given official protection as an “outstanding” historic site by heritage chiefs. In sleepy Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, far from the snow-capped mountains of Tibet where the intrepid young reporter Tintin roamed, lies the grave of Mary Haddock, mother of Admiral Richard Haddock.

It is believed that the admiral inspired the character of the evil Captain Haddock in the Belgian writer Gerge “The Adventures of Tintin”. The comical captain, known for his inventive expletives such as “blue blisters!”, was as much a sailor as Richard Haddock. (Also read: White Christmas under threat: How climate change affects winter tourism )

Mary Haddock’s grave is recognized as an outstanding historic site in England

Mary Haddock’s tomb is “notable as the only monument dedicated to a woman of the name in a period of gender inequality”, according to Historic England, which on Wednesday announced the “17 outstanding and unusual historic buildings and sites” listed this year.

Other quirky additions include a brutalist concrete Baptist church in Bristol, south-west England, which has a Tesco supermarket on the ground floor and is known locally as the ‘church above the shops’. Historic England listed the 1960s building as one of the “striking examples of post-war ecclesiastical architecture”. The bungalow-style former maternity ward and the early 20th-century fingerpost – a cross with index fingers at the ends of its sleeves – were also listed as a Grade II listed site this year.

The annual selection highlights lesser-known and quirky heritage sites among the 211 buildings and places of historic interest listed in 2024. Heritage Minister Chris Bryant said it was a celebration of “the hard work to protect and preserve some truly unique buildings and places that helped shape our cultural history.”