York crowned UK's cosiest city for autumn getaways

York has been crowned the cosiest city in the United Kingdom, according to travel experts at Big House Experience. The company analysed thousands of Reddit comments to reveal where travellers should visit for the ultimate cosy retreat.

The quintessentially British city has won over 47,800 travellers on Reddit who all upvoted comments in favour of York's cosy charms. People frequently mention York's 'historic alleyways' and 'quaint tea shops' as the main reason the northern city feels so cosy.

What makes York so cosy?

Thanks to its winding streets, beautiful shop fronts and overhanging timber-framed buildings, York has been crowned the cosiest city in the United Kingdom. The researchers also found that the city is home to 207 coffee shops and 190 pubs, which adds to the homey energy of the place.

With recent YouGov research revealing that one in three Brits (34%) consider autumn to be their favourite season, this study highlights the top destinations where people can fully immerse themselves in this cosy season.

Things to do in York

One of the main attractions in York is the York Minster, one of the largest and most impressive cathedrals in Northern Europe. Visitors can head inside to see its world-famous medieval stained glass, explore the underground crypts, or climb the 275 steps up the Central Tower for uninterrupted views across Yorkshire.

Just a short walk away sits The Shambles, a famous timber-framed medieval street packed with independent shops, bakeries, and cafes. The name comes from "fleshshammels" which is the old Anglo-Saxon word for the wooden shelves butchers used to display their meat.

For impressive views and a slice of royal history, head up to Clifford's Tower, the last remaining structure of York Castle. Sitting high on its grassy mound, a newly built roof deck gives you panoramic 360-degree views right across the city skyline and over towards the Minster.

Afterwards, you can pop over to Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms for their iconic fat rascals - massive, fruity scone-cakes served fresh - or visit the York Castle Museum nearby, where an entire Victorian cobbled street has been reconstructed indoors complete with authentic storefronts and a working prison cell.

Other cosy UK cities for autumn

Northern cities have dominated the top five results on the cosy rankings, with Edinburgh being third, followed by Chester (4th) and then Durham (5th). The only southern city to feature at the top of the rankings is Chichester in West Sussex, receiving just shy of 25,000 upvotes from tourists.

One of the most popular Reddit comments regarding the warmth felt in Chichester is the 'small scale' of the city so 'perfectly located alongside the coastline,' that makes you want to sit on the beach with fish and chips on a fresh autumn day.

Top 10 cosiest UK cities