The best UK staycations for an autumn getaway

Thinking of booking a weekend away? These 10 cities have been listed as the best in the UK for a break, based on a range of factors including the cost of eating out and renting accommodation, as well as the number of restaurants and cultural activities.

Autumn might just be the perfect season to get out and explore the UK. Not only is this when golden-brown leaves start to appear on trees, it’s also a great time to make the most of being outdoors before winter’s chill (and shorter days) fully set in.

In case you need any further convincing, travel insurance firm Forbes Advisor has studied cities around the country to work out which are the best for a staycation. They ranked each one based on several factors: the cost of a meal for two, bottle of beer, Airbnb stay and taxi fare, as well as the number of restaurants and attractions per 10,000 people. These scores were then used to generate an overall score out of 100.

Keep reading to find out which cities performed best – plus what to do, where to stay and what to eat while you’re there.

10. Edinburgh

At number 10 is the Scottish capital, which might be the best choice if you're a foodie: it has the highest number of restaurants at 18.37 per 10,000 people. You’ll find everything from neighbourhood bistros (The Little Chartroom, L’Escargot Bleu) to Indian restaurants (Tanjore, Mother India’s Cafe, Pakora Bar). For sweeping panoramas across the city and beyond, climb to the top of Arthur’s Seat, then check out the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Scotland’s official royal residence, on your way back. There are plenty of gorgeous accommodation options, although Edinburgh is at the more expensive end of the spectrum for Airbnbs, which cost on average £165 a night.

The view from the top of Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh (Image: Sergii Figurnyi/Shutterstock)

9. Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle is ninth in the ranking, with the average nightly price for an Airbnb coming in at a reasonable £113, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costs £57.50. Sitting on the river Tyne, the city is crossed by seven unique bridges including the Victorian High Level Bridge and the ultra-modern Millenium Bridge. There are also plenty of brilliant cultural attractions, including the Discovery Museum, offering a journey through the region’s history from Roman times to present, and the Biscuit Factory – the UK’s largest commercial art gallery set in a Victorian warehouse.

Newcastle upon Tyne (Graeme J Baty/Shutterstock)

8. Dundee

It might be a little under the radar but Dundee, which comes in eighth place with a score of 87.4 out of 100, is perfect for a weekend away. The coastal Scottish city has a vibrant arts and culture scene – in fact, it’s home to the only V&A Museum outside of London, which showcases a range of exhibitions in a gorgeous modern building. As for accommodation, choose between upscale options such as Malmaison, or quaint boutique stays including The Shaftesbury Hotel and Taypark House. The city also comes up trumps if you’re after a reasonably-priced meal out: the study revealed a three-course meal for two costs on average just £50.

The V&A Museum, Dundee (ROBIN MACGREGOR/Shutterstock)

7. Aberdeen

The highest-ranking of three Scottish cities in the study, Aberdeen is a great choice if you’re after a historic city within easy reach of stunning natural landscapes. Located on the rugged northeastern coast, you’ll find everything from dinky fishing villages to rocky coves teeming with seabirds. While it might not be swimming weather (unless you’re brave), it’s well worth taking a stroll along one of the gorgeous beaches, which include the rolling sand dunes of Balmedie and the seal-populated expanses of Newburgh. Aberdeen is also the cheapest choice with a break for two here costing on average £137.50 per night – more than £100 cheaper than the most expensive city on the list.

Aberdeen (mairu10/Shutterstock)

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6. Brighton

For a huge selection of bars, restaurants and attractions with a big dose of seaside charm, Brighton is the place to go. The city scores sixth in the ranking thanks to its high number of attractions (almost 20 per 10,000 people) and restaurants (17.75 per 10,000 people) – although bear in mind it’s the priciest destination, with a break here costing £238.71 per night. Be sure to check out the Laines, a selection of colourful streets filled with independent shops, as well as the two piers: a modern one bursting with bright lights, fairground rides and ice-cream stalls, plus a burnt-down Victorian one (which can’t be visited but makes for a beautiful photograph from the shore).

Brighton pier (Scotshot/Shutterstock)

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5. Nottingham

Thanks to its convenient location in the middle of England, Nottingham is well-connected to many major cities which makes it ideal for a quick getaway. It ranks fifth with an overall score of 88.3 and is one of the cheapest options for accommodation, with an Airbnb costing on average £107 a night. There are lots of great attractions to keep you busy, including Wollaton Hall, a Grade II-listed Elizabethan mansion set in stunning grounds filled with deer, and the Old Market Square, which is turned into a beach by summer and a Christmas market in December.

Deer in Nottingham's Wollaton Park (Diana Parkhouse/Shutterstock)

4. Guildford

A historic market town surrounded by picturesque countryside, Guildford is the perfect staycation for those wanting a mix of outdoor activities and cultural attractions. The town comes in fourth place with a score of 90.1 – it also has the cheapest beer on the list, with a bottle of beer costing just £3.25. There are plenty of gorgeous walks in the nearby area, including the footpath along the River Wey and the short circular walk at Newlands Corner, as well as a smattering of cosy pubs to enjoy a (reasonably-priced) tipple afterwards.

View from Newlands Corner, Guildford (Image: Alan Whitehead/Shutterstock)

3. Cambridge

Offering stunning historic architecture, cobbled streets and plenty of independent shops and restaurants, Cambridge bags the third spot in the ranking with a score of 91.4. The city comes to life at this time of year, when you can find a vibrant display of autumn leaves at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden and along the River Cam. Meanwhile, there’s an array of great cultural hotspots, from the huge collection of historic artefacts at the Fitzwilliam Museum to the grand and imposing university buildings.

Cambridge along the River Cam (Image: Pajor Pawel/Shutterstock)

2. York

Many come to York for its Christmas markets, but skip the crowds – and see its streets ignited in gorgeous golden hues instead – by visiting in autumn. The city, which ranks second place with a score of 92.8, is best known for its historic attractions, which include the towering York Minster, the higgledy-piggledy Shambles and the medieval city walls. But it’s also home to up-and-coming restaurants, lively bars and quaint coffee shops galore. Be sure to check out Bettys, a famous tea room which serves an opulent afternoon tea in a historic setting.

The Shambles, York (Image: Magdanatka/Shutterstock)

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1. Oxford

Nabbing the top spot with a score of 93.6, Oxford is the ultimate city break if you want a range of attractions and restaurants as well as reasonably-priced accommodation – Airbnbs here cost on average £116 a night. It goes without saying that its university buildings look utterly gorgeous when surrounded by autumn leaves and dappled in golden light, while its slew of green spaces provide plenty of places for a stroll. And if the weather’s not playing ball, you’re spoilt for choice in terms of indoor attractions, including the Ashmolean Museum, the History of Science Museum and the iconic Bodleian Libraries.

Bodleian Library, Oxford (Image: Skowronek/Shutterstock)

Lead image is of Cambridge (Pajor Pawel/Shutterstock)