Abbey Student Rentals Blog

09 May 2024

The top 5 places to visit in Chester.

 A city full of historic treasures you must see. 1.    Take a walk along Chester city Walls. Interesting facts: - Chester City walls consist of a defensive structure built to protect the city of Chester in Cheshire. - Construction was started by the Romans between 70 and 80 AD. - The walls are the oldest, longest and most complete in Britain and walking them can give you superb views of the city. 2.    See the historic Chester Rows Interesting facts: - Rows have existed since the late 13th century.  - They are completely unique not only in the UK but anywhere in the world. - Have been built on top of ancient Roman ruins. - Today buildings are mostly occupied by shops, cafes and restaurants. 3.    Visit Chester Cathedral Interesting facts: - The construction can be traced back in 1093. - Since 1541, it has been the seat of the Bishop of Chester. -  It is the largest venue in the city for performances, events and exhibitions.    4 .  Spend a day in the Chester Zoo      Interesting facts:    - Chester Zoo is home to more than 20,000 individual living creatures and over 700 different species.    -  It is the most popular tourist attraction in Cheshire.    -   Was the first zoo in the world to be founded on the principles of open-air zoos.   5.    Enjoy a Riverside Stroll through The Groves      Interesting facts: - Set alongside the pretty River Dee not far from Grosvenor Park. - Here you can find a number of restaurants, tearooms, and cafés.
Read more
09 May 2024

Fun things to do this sunny season

Summer is just around the corner, so we have complied a selection of ideas about what you can do to make your summer break more eventful and varied. 1.    Attend an outdoor concert. Find the perfect venue in your area, bring a lawn chair, and enjoy the evening! storyhouse.com 2.    Have a picnic.      Pack a traditional wicker basket with your favourite picnic food and drinks. Enjoy the feast as well as the weather. 3.    Go wine tasting. Do you like wine? Why not to expand your knowledge and try something new? 4.    Create your own cocktail. Test all the different ingredients. Do a competition with your friends for the best cocktail.  5.    Take a road trip. Pick a spot on the map, get in your car, and just drive.  6. Ride a roller coaster. blackpoolpleasurebeach.com 7.    Do a BBQ on a backyard.  8.    Take a boat ride. 9. Visit a historical site 10.    Go camping. 
Read more
20 Mar 2024

Time to buy your Easter eggs!

Sainsbury's   Morrisons  Aldi
Read more
14 Mar 2024

Fruits In Season

Please see below for a quick summary to see which fruits are in season! The information below is from BBC Good Food, which also has helpful information about other foods in season.  Seasonal calendar - BBC Good Food  Month  Fruit January  Apple, Banana, Clementine, Date, Grapefruit, Lemon, Orange, Pear, Pomegrante, and Rhubarb.  February  Apple, Banana, Clementine, Grapefruit, Lemon, Orange, Pomegrante, and Rhubarb.  March Banana, Grapefuit, Lemon, Orange, Pomegrante, and Rhubarb. April Banana, Grapefruit, Pomegrante, and Rhubarb. May Apricot, Banana, Grapefruit, Nectarine, Pomegrante, and Rhubarb. June Apricot, Banana, Blackcurrants, Gooseberry, Nectarine, Pomegrante, and Rhubarb. July Apricot, Banana, Blackcurrants, Cherry, Gooseberry, Nectarine, Pomegrante, Raspberry, Strawberry,Tomato, and Watermelon.  August  Apricot, Banana, Blackberry, Fig, Gooseberry, Nectarine, Peach, Pomegrante, Raspberry, Strawberry,Tomato, and Watermelon.  September  Apple, Apricot, Banana, Blackberry, Elderberries, Fig, Gooseberry, Nectarine, Peach, Pear, Plum, Pomegrante, Raspberry, Strawberry, and Tomato.  October  Apple, Banana, Blackberry, Cranberry, Elderberries, Fig, Pear, Plum, Pomegranate, and Tomato. Novemeber  Apple, Banana, Clementine, Cranberry, Date, Pear, and Pomegrante.  December  Apple, Banana, Clementine, Date, Grapefruit, Pear, and Pomegranate. 
Read more
07 Mar 2024

Mother's Day Gift Ideas!

Flowers    Candle    Slippers    Necklace 
Read more
07 Feb 2024

Must See Valentines Films on Netflix!

The Vow  The Proposal  Just Like Heaven  To All The Boys I've Loved Before 
Read more
01 Feb 2024

The Six Nations are Back

To all you fellow rugby lovers Find all the matches' date & times below... you're welcome ;)   
Read more
25 Jan 2024

Dydd Santes Dwynwen Hapus

Dydd Santes Dwynwen Hapus Dydd Santes Dwynwen Hapus is the Welsh Valentines Day which translates to, ‘Happy St. Dwynwen’s Day’. This day is devoted to the Welsh Patron Saint of lovers and, the celebration takes place on 25th January each year – which is on a Thursday for 2024!   History The legend states that Santes Dwynwen’s true love was forbidden by her father, Brychan Brycheiniog. Santes Dwynwen prayed to God for help to erase her memories of her true love. Thus, her true love was turned into a block of ice. Due to Dwynwen’s resilience an angel descended and granted her three wishes.  Dwynwen wished for: Her lover to be unfrozen. God to meet the needs of true lovers. A dedication to God’s service. Santes Dwynwen was a historical Welsh princess who became a nun because she was unlucky in love. The princess prayed for true lovers to find love. Ynys Llanddwyn, located in Anglesey was named after St. Dwynwen because, the princess retreated there. The island has become a place of pilgrimage for those to walk around the Welsh countryside. What takes place on St. Dwynwen’s Day? The 25th of January is the most romantic day of the year in Wales. This allows those who celebrate St. Dwynwen’s Day to spend time with their loved ones and, exchange gifts.        
Read more
29 Nov 2023

Treats Of The Season

1. Christmas Cookies Ingredients140g icing sugar, sieved1 tsp vanilla extract1 egg yolk250g butter, cut into small cubes375g plain flour, sievedTo decorate200g icing sugar, sievededible food colouring, optionaledible gold and silver ballsapprox 2m thin ribbon cut into 10cm lengthsMethodSTEP 1Tip the icing sugar, vanilla extract, egg yolk and butter into a mixing bowl, then stir together with a wooden spoon (or pulse in a food processor until well combined). Add the flour and mix to a firm dough. Shape the dough into two flat discs and wrap them. Chill for 20-30 mins. Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5 and line two baking sheets with non-stick baking paper. STEP 2Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about the thickness of two £1 coins. Cut out Christmassy shapes (use a cutter if you like) and place on the baking sheets. Using the tip of a skewer, cut a small hole in the top of each cookie. Bake for 10-12 mins until lightly golden. STEP 3Lift the biscuits onto a wire rack to cool. Meanwhile, mix the icing sugar with a few drops of cold water to make a thick, but still runny icing. Colour with edible food colouring, if you like. Spread it over the cooled biscuits, decorate with edible balls and thread with ribbon when dry. 2. Gingerbread Cupcakes IngredientsCUPCAKES250g self-raising flour2 tsp ground ginger1 tsp mixed spice125g unsalted butter125g dark brown sugar100g golden syrup100g black treacle2 eggs, lightly beaten150ml milkBUTTERCREAM200g unsalted butter, softened350g icing sugar1 tsp ground gingermini gingerbread men and sprinkles, to decorate.MethodSTEP 1To make the cupcakes, heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and line a 12-hole cupcake tin with paper cases. Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl and set aside, then melt together the butter, sugar, syrup and treacle in a medium pan over a low-medium heat, stirring until well combined. STEP 2Create a well in the dry ingredients, then pour in the butter mix, bringing the flour in from the sides with a fork. Finally, stir in the eggs and milk until smooth. Divide the mix between the cases in the tin and bake for 20-25 mins or until springy to the touch. Allow to cool for 10 mins in the tin, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. STEP 3For the buttercream, beat the butter until soft, then add the icing sugar along with the ginger in two batches, beating until well combined. Pipe or dollop the buttercream onto the cooled cupcakes. Decorate with mini gingerbread men and sprinkles. 3. Christmas Blondies IngredientsCooking spray180g butter, softened200g granulated sugar 90g packed brown sugar2 large eggs2 tsp. pure vanilla extract240g all-purpose flour3/4 tsp. baking powder1/2 tsp. salt8 Oreos, crushed1/2 cup M&M's1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips. MethodSTEP 1Preheat oven to gas 4 and grease a baking pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until combined. STEP 2In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and beat until just combined. Fold in Oreos, M&M’S, and chocolate chips. STEP 3Press batter into prepared pan and bake until golden and still slightly soft in the middle, 25 to 30 minutes. STEP 4Let cool completely before slicing into squares.
Read more
x