Derwent Hotel, Whatstandwell

It is strange that on the course of the River Derwent between Baslow and Derby there is not one pub where you can sit beside the river and go with the flow. Despite its name, the Derwent Hotel fits this pattern: it has a beer garden at the back but without a watery view.

After a run of erratic opening, new owners have re-fitted and re-opened this pub by the bridge where the A6 crosses the river. Perhaps there is more emphasis on eating than drinking; when we went the choice of beers was restricted to two Greene King bitters, both quite drinkable if rather expensive. It's too soon to comment on the pub's atmosphere; clearly it needs time to settle down. Certainly this is a welcome addition to the local drinking options, given the closure of the Yew Tree at Holloway and Homesford Cottage up the road.