Cobbled streets, an impressive 7th-century minster and oodles of history – York is a charming spot to visit with plenty to do and see. 

It should come as little surprise, then, that the northern city has been named the best place in the UK for an autumn escape.

With winding paths through the medieval Shambles and timber-framed buildings dating back to the Tudor era, York placed at the top of the rankings in research conducted by Rabbie's.

The tour operator analysed 30 destinations across the UK and considered factors including the number of parks, the number of nearby walking trails, average daytime temperatures and the average number of rainy days.

With 20 different parks to choose from, visitors can sit and take in the orange and yellow hues in Dean's Park, located on the lawns by the Gothic York Minster. 

Alternatively, leafy Tower Gardens makes for a lovely autumnal walk, alongside the River Ouse. 

The research also identified 170 different walking trails and an average daytime temperature of 14C (57F) – mild enough to explore the city outdoors. 

York also has some of the driest autumn weather in the analysis – totalling seven rainy days overall.

The city also offers a variety of different cultural activities for visitors to enjoy throughout the year. 

There is a range of museums suitable for all ages – from the York Castle Museum to the National Railway Museum.

For those wanting to indulge their sweet tooth, York's Chocolate Story is the perfect way to explore the city's chocolate-making history. 

York Minster dates back to medieval times and the Shambles is a characterful shopping street full of independent businesses.

Hazel Rickett, travel expert at Rabbie's, said: 'Autumn is one of the best times of year to explore the UK. The crowds thin out, the leaves turn, and the cooler air makes for far more comfortable walking than the height of summer. 

'Our research set out to find where the season really comes alive, weighing up everything from parkland and walking routes to the weather you're likely to get.

'York is a wonderful example. It combines plenty of green space with a genuinely impressive network of trails and some of the driest weather in the country, which is exactly what you want when you're out exploring on a crisp autumn day.'

Other UK destinations perfect for an autumnal break include London, which ranked second overall with 241 parks, 328 nearby walking trails and only seven rainy days on average. 

Edinburgh followed in third, Manchester fourth and Bath rounded off the top five spots.