A new study has named the best and worst cities in County Durham, North Yorkshire and Tyneside to visit if you're heading around the UK.

The study, conducted by The Telegraph, has listed the top 69 cities in the UK list, ranking each on a scientific study with 25 criteria in four categories- transport, culture, heritage, and green spaces.

In its report, The Telegraph said "Our top ten is aimed at visitors first, residents second".

The best and worst-ranked cities in County Durham, Tyneside and North Yorkshire:

  • Ripon - 8th place (208 points)
  • York - 13th place (197 points) 
  • Durham- 15th place (179 points)
  • Sunderland - 61st place (89 points)
  • Carlisle - 69th place (43 points)

Within the rankings, Durham City was ranked the best for the North East in 15th place, while Ripon ranked the best for North Yorkshire in 8th position.

Other notable mentions for the North East and North Yorkshire include York (13th) and Newcastle (16th), which ranked highly in the heritage and culture categories.

Other notable mentions:

  • Doncaster - 65th place (71 points)
  • Hull - 63rd place (78 points)
  • Sheffield - 55th place (95 points)
  • Leeds - 34th place (138 points)
  • London - 11th place (203 points)

However, it wasn't exclusively good news for people of the North East - with Sunderland ranked amongst the worst cities in the UK. 

With all categories combined, Sunderland scored 89 points beating out cities including Bangor, Salford, Doncaster and Carlisle - which was ranked at the bottom of the list.

Sunderland, home to the Stadium of Light and the Black Cats, is known for its coastal tourist spots including Roker and Seaburn as well as the National Glass Centre and Sunderland Empire.

However, it didn't mean that this delivered points for heritage, culture, or parks and open spaces.

While it wasn't good news for Sunderland in the rankings, they didn't finish last - with Carlisle taking that 'accolade' after coming in 69th place - scoring just 43 points.

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On the other end of the scale, Bath topped the list, which racked up 248 points overall.

Of Bath, the study reads: "Bath has Unesco World Heritage Site status not once but twice. One inscription covers the entire city – a rare honour that reflects its unique history and character; the other applies to Bath’s membership of the exclusive Great Towns of Europe club.

"The overall winner, as you’ll see, is a beautiful, rather gracious city that has long been regarded fondly – but which also has cultural clout."