Treslothan church stands in a small oasis of Victorian buildings, the centre of what appears to have been almost a model village, all designed by George Whitwick. The church of St John the Evangelist, Treslothan House, Treslothan Lodge and Treslothan Church Cottages are grouped around a war memorial. All seem rather overgrown.

Despite signs insisting that ‘The church is open during the hours of daylight’ it was not on a Saturday in July. We could not view its interior, therefore.

Alongside the church is the Pendarves Mausoleum, an austere, unfriendly building open to the east with a large central slab which presumably covers the vault.

The most charming feature is a small wheel-headed cross with figure which sits at the foot of the East window. The figure appears to have been sealed for posterity in the attitude of a star-jump. Its origin is unknown.

Signs indicate that there is an appeal to preserve the church. With no large community around, it is hard to see that this is going to be successful. We feel it would do better as a film location for a gothic story.

The church is strictly outside our date criteria but the group of buildings is worth a visit to see a small Victorian ‘other world’ in an unexpected location, however it goes into the Hall of Shame for advertising itself as open and not delivering.