The County and Station, Matlock Bath

Local intelligence was that this pub had recently been taken over by the owner of Derby's Furnace Inn (see June 2014) and was being run by the couple who were running the idiosyncratic Abbey Inn in Darley Abbey, so the portents were favourable. However, Matlock Bath, despite its numerical wealth of pubs (5), has always been a bit dead as a drinking location. Nonetheless, we ventured in to find a quiet but welcoming, traditional interior (the fire wasn't lit, though) and a range of beers available. The something or another IPA was bitter to the point of sourness but there was something ("Tiny Rebel", perhaps) with grapefruit notes which was light and refreshing. It'll be interesting to see how this pub develops over time but it looks a good option, if you find yourself in Matlock Bath.