New research has revealed the “cosiest” city in Scotland this autumn.

As we move towards the end of the year, the days are beginning to get chillier and the nights are getting longer. The cold weather presents plenty of challenges, but it also provides the opportunity for cosy getaways.

Travel insurance specialists AllClear have named the top cities across the UK for a relaxing experience this autumn. The experts analysed factors such as the number of cafes and bookstores per square mile, Instagram posts that mention ‘cosy’, and the average amount of rainfall.

Placing number one for Scotland is Edinburgh, which offers cosy autumn vibes galore. Whether you are looking for comfy café or bar with a fireplace to curl up next to or a quirky bookshop to while away the hours, the city has something for everyone.

The Scottish capital is famous for its wealth of comfy coffee shops to sit down in on a chilly autumn day. Among the highlights are Black Medicine Coffee Co on Nicolson Street, The Milkman just off Princes Street, and former opticians Thomas J Walls Coffee on Forrest Road.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh is also home to a huge variety of cosy pubs where you can enjoy a pint or even a Sunday roast. From the historic Sheep Heid Inn in Duddingston to the chic Brewhemia in the city centre, there are plenty of pubs and bars to suit every taste.

Exterior of Armchair books on the 9th November 2018 in Edinburgh, Scotland in the United Kingdom. Armchair Books is a secondhand and antiquarian book shop in Edinburgh's West Port.
The quirky Armchair Books is one of Edinburgh’s most beloved bookstores (Image: Sam Mellish / In Pictures via Getty Images Images)

The city is also home to a treasure trove of bookstores for those looking to spend a frosty day out this fall immersing themselves in another world. The cosiest is undoubtedly Armchair Books on West Port, which is a family-run store with an off-kilter vibe that stocks a massive selection of rare and secondhand titles.

Elsewhere, according to the experts, Bath is the cosiest destination in the UK. The Somerset city features Roman baths, historic streets, and cafés such as the renowned Sally Lunn’s.

The five cosiest cities in the UK

  1. Bath
  2. London
  3. Edinburgh
  4. Oxford
  5. Belfast

Head of Communications at AllClear Letitia Smith commented: “Winter travel can be slightly more daunting than trips during the spring or summer months, with less favourable conditions like cold temperatures making some destinations feel far less appealing. This is especially the case for anyone who might need to stay warm more than others, for example those living with medical conditions like COPD or arthritis, for who cold temperatures can exacerbate their conditions.”

More information about the study and the full list of the cosiest cities in the world can be found on the AllClear website.

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