The hot weather may persude you that the last thing you want to do is spend the weekend in the city, but for all the die-hard town mice out there, Britain's urban hot spots can be just as attractive when the sun's shining. Whether you're sampling squid-ink spuds in Belfast, exploring Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter or taking advantage of the liberal licensing laws in Glasgow's October Cafe, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the summer without skipping town

Belfast

What's so funny about peace, love and understanding?
The most BMWs in Britain and squid-ink spuds? Fiachra Gibbons doesn't recognise the New Belfast.

Birmingham

Precious gem
As ministers from Nato gather in Birmingham, Chris Arnot explores the Jewellery Quarter's mix of new bars and Georgian architecture.

Bournemouth

BoMo on sea
Did New Labour expect to find a genteel backwater when they booked their conference here? This is New Bournemouth, and Julian Evans suddenly feels his age

Cardiff

Cool Cymru
The Welsh capital now brims with self-confidence and style. Peter Morgan enjoys the new-found freedom of the city

Edinburgh

Auld one's the best one
A new generation of confident consumers, entrepreneurs, architects and planners have taken the little pool of delight that is the Festival and splashed its starjuice into the unlikeliest crevices.

Glasgow

Geeza break, pal
Glasgow is a city brimming over with beauty, simmering with artists and writers. The swaggering energy and humour of the people here will lift your spirits.

Leeds

Yorkie bars
Why go clubbing in a city where your designer trainers share the same fashion blacklist as a pair of plimsolls and no one wears winter coats? Southern softie Emma Brockes attempts to large it in Leeds.

London

Time honoured
Even before the dome, Greenwich could boast one of the most spectacular theme parks in Europe. John Cunningham follows in the footsteps of Pepys, Wren, Dickens - and Mandelson.