FOOD inspired by English monasteries is being served at Rievaulx Abbey throughout January.

The abbey's cafe will be serving Monk’s Pottage and Mead and Honey Cake to celebrate St Aelred's Day which takes place on January 12.

A spokesperson for the English Heritage site, said: "Monk’s Pottage is a hearty vegan stew of root vegetables, pulses and herbs served in a large granary roll inspired by the kind of food Rievaulx’s most famous abbot might have eaten from bread trenchers.

"The Pottage is made with onions, leeks, garlic, parsnips, carrots, lentils and carlin peas. Carlin peas are thought to have originated in the monastic gardens of the Middle Ages – a sort of medieval chick-pea.

"The dish also features a huge granary roll made especially for Rievaulx by the Derventio Bakery in Norton.

"The delicately spiced honey and mead cake is made with traditional mead produced exclusively for English Heritage. An ancient honey wine, Mead has long been connected with bee-keeping English monasteries."

The Monk’s Pottage is £8.50 and the Mead & Honey Cake is £3.60 a slice.

The café at Rievaulx Abbey is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm.

For more information go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/rievaulx-abbey/