How could I refuse a press trip to meet beekeeper Jim Chambers, organised by the Honey Association, particularly when it was to take place in a field just a mile from the King William pub, Ipsden, where we went on to enjoy a honey tasting followed by an excellent lunch. Ipsden is a rather secret little village with a population of just 300, which lies just outside Wallingford. It's so small you have to really search for it on the map as it's tucked away in an rural area off the A4074, or A4130 if travelling from Wallingford. As Ipsden is designated as an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it's certainly an ideal spot to keep beehives, as we soon discovered.

A field of bleating lambs stands opposite this imposing old pub. Red kites swoop overhead and in the far distance a cuckoo was making itself heard the day we arrived. In other words, it's simply breathtaking. The stunning views of the surrounding countryside certainly impressed members of the press who had travelled from London to talk to Jim.

We laughed at the sign in the car park which asked us to 'Park Prettily'. Instinctively our drivers turned to check that their cars were in fact parked correctly.

This whitewashed, 17th-century pub does not boast a ghost as such, but the licensee assured us that neighbours often report a rider heard galloping along the road at dead of night.

It's a Brakspear pub, the barrels are situated on a shelf for all to see. I was pleased to note that most in our party were excited about drinking Brakspear bitter, which they drank with enthusiasm. I did too.

The interior with its interlocking rooms, sparkling brass and copper jugs and pans, large inglenook fireplace, exposed red brick and flint stone walls, beams and an eclectic mix of furnishings has a distinctively welcoming feel. Before we tucked into lunch we were invited to taste four different honeys which were skillfully explained to us by Stuart Bailey, of the Honey Association. We began with the mild delicate flavours of Acacia honey, then a white cream set English honey, followed by a very spicy Greek pine honey with a stimulating pine aroma, then last but not least, Manuka clear honey sourced from New Zealand which is now highly prized for its antibacterial properties. We found them all delicious, but when Jim Chambers passed round a jar of his own honey collected from bees in the Ipsden fields, we immediately declared that best of all.

To celebrate our honey tasting, the pub put on pork and honey sausages (£9.50) and a special honey-based raspberry flummery at £4.50 created from a medieval recipe.

I chose the pork fillet medallions (£9.55) which came in a delicious cream sauce. Jim the beekeeper went for steak and Brakspear ale pie (£10.95) and others tucked into a lemon sole fillet at £9.50. Dishes of fresh seasonal vegetables were served with every meal. The food must have been good as every plate was scraped clean by the time the waitress came to clear the table and take our pudding order. The flummery was simply amazing, but far too rich. Few of us managed to finish it. It's made by mixing whipped cream, toasted oats and honey, then dribbling a little whisky into the mix, which I believe is a modern addition, and then garnishing it with raspberries.

As we left we all agreed it had proved one of those fabulous days that would be remembered fondly for some time to come.

I shall certainly return to the King William, but next time it will be with my dog as he's allowed in. Those in wheelchairs shouldn't have too much difficulty, the toilet is large and there's a separate door close to the toilet for ease of access.