Best UK city to visit in autumn with 'perfect' high street

The best and cosiest city to visit in autumn has been revealed by a unique new study. The UK is home to cities both big and small that make for exciting weekends away, from the buzzing nightlife of Liverpool to the historic charm of Bath to all the thrills of London. But there are many cities, most of them rather small, that many Brits don't consider visiting very often. A new study has revealed one of the more overlooked UK cities as the best to visit around this time of the year.

A study conducted by Betway Insider has named Chichester as the cosiest UK city to visit in Autumn 2025. Chichester is a small city in the south of England, located close to the south coast in the county of West Sussex. Although it is only home to 30,000 people, it seems to have a strong concentration of things that make for the perfect autumn getaway, according to the study. With historic elements, lovely architecture and plenty of business activity, it is a thriving small city that makes for a great backdrop to a typical autumnal day.

The results of the study are based on the number of independent bookshops, cafes, nature areas and museums per 10,000 people, along with the average autumn rainfall in the region. Chichester ticked all of the boxes, which led it to the number one spot on the list.

Chichetser has six independent book shops, 67 cafes, 15 parks and nature areas, and 15 museums, all of which are impressive numbers considering the city's small population. Meanwhile, Chichester has one of the UK's most 'perfect' high streets, according to White & Brooks.

That label was given to the small city's high street based on a 2024 analysis by Which? A survey revealed what the 'perfect' high street needs to have, and the White & Brooks team identified the one in Chichester as having it all. According to Brits who were surveyed, the ideal high street has a decent pharmacy, pub, florist, deli, ice cream parlour, farm produce shops, vintage shops, record stores and health food shops.

Among the best things to do when visiting Chichester is the Weald & Downland Living Museum. This place brings to life old rural life and has been described as "interesting" and "beautiful by previous visitors.

Other attractions in this small but mighty city include Chichester Cathedral, Fishbourne Roman Palace & Gardens, Tangmere Military Aviation Museum, and Goodwood House. In terms of gardens and nature, there are West Dean Gardens, Tinwood Estate Vineyards, Bishop's Palace Gardens and Kingley Vale.

There are also some great pubs in Chichester, such as The Chantry, Old Cross, Crafty Bishop and Duke. One of Chichester's other draws is its array of cafes, including Common Grounds, The Fat Fig and Boston Tea Party.

While Chichester was named the cosiest city in the UK to visit in autumn, other spots around the country were also included in the top ten list. In second place is Brighton, which boasts a staggering 267 cafes and 12 independent bookshops.

Brighton is a go-to destination for summer, given its thrilling beach and famous pier. However, it seems to offer plenty more for staycation seekers throughout the year.

Wells took third place, followed by Bath in fourth, Inverness in fifth, Canterbury in sixth, Ely in seventh, Chester in eighth, York in ninth, and Winchester in tenth.