WITH 'staycations' expected to be the holiday of choice this summer, data reveals that York is the UK’s most searched location for a city break.

It received a total of 168,980 Google inquiries into taking a trip, with 96,560 monthly searches for ‘hotels in York’.

Ranking as the second most popular UK city for a holiday this year is Bath, totalling 40,290 online searches a month – 76 per cent lower than York.

Perth takes third place and Newcastle also features in the top ten, coming in at ninth with 54,930 monthly online searches.

The data was compiled by OnBuy.com and its founder and CEO, Cas Paton, said: "York, surrounded by a Roman wall that now houses the York Minster and St Mary’s Abbey, is truly one of our best windows into English history.

"Aside from the grandeur of religious architecture, there are several well-preserved cobbled streets dating to the 14th century – most notably The Shambles – a walkway that inspired Diagon Alley in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series.

"Such history combined with the beauty of the River Ouse makes it no wonder York ranks as the most popular UK city staycation."