Four fantastic UK city breaks that you can still enjoy before summer ends

Summer may be ebbing away, but there's still time to make the most of the warmer weather – and a short break in one of the UK's best cities is a great way to do it.

Whether you choose to visit London, York, Edinburgh, Belfast or one of the UK's other amazing cities, you're guaranteed to have a good time, with plenty to see and do. And the best part is that all of these places are just a short journey away.

To help you plan a city break, we’ve pulled together the most exciting things to do and see in the UK’s major cities. Are you a Boundless member? You could save on a range of days out, hotel stays and travel. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find out more.

London city breaks

England's capital city is simply brimming with things to do and see, from bustling markets to idyllic parks, historic houses to futuristic skyscrapers. Some of the attractions need no introduction: the London Eye provides spectacular vistas over the city, Madame Tussauds remains one of the world's most popular waxworks collections, and now includes a Marvel 4D cinema. The Imperial War Museum is alive with decades of military history – and currently features the exhibition Wartime London: Art of the Blitz (until 12 September). And the Tower of London is, of course, home to the Crown Jewels, not to mention the famous Yeoman Warders.

However, if you want to steer away from the more obvious places, you could shop for early Christmas presents in Camden Market's beguiling maze of shops and stalls. A high-speed RIB boat trip along the Thames is a thrilling way to admire sites such as the Shard, St Paul's Cathedral and London Bridge. Or why not enjoy a show at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre – Rogers & Hammerstein's Carousel is being performed there until 25 September. 

For a full list of London attractions, click here.

York city breaks

Who needs to visit New York when there's so much to see and do in the old one? This walled city in North Yorkshire is a charming destination that never fails to enchant and educate – no wonder it attracts visitors from all over the world. 

Founded by the Romans in 71AD, the city is now dominated by its cathedral, York Minster – a magnificent 15th-century structure that's one of the largest of its kind in northern Europe. A sightseeing tour of its medieval cloisters and stained-glass windows is an absolute must. 

York is also renowned for its Viking history – the Nordic invaders captured the city in the 9^th century – and no visit to this neck of the woods would be complete without a visit to the Jorvik Centre. Built on the exact site where the marauding forces settled all those years ago, this award-winning attraction recreates the sights, sounds and smells (!) of a Viking village.

If vintage trains are more your thing, make time to visit the National Railway Museum, where you'll find a vast collection of relics from York's proud locomotive heritage. While you're there, don't miss the Railway Heroes exhibition, which pays tribute to the heroic workers who put their lives on the line during the pandemic. 

And while you're in York, make a pilgrimage to the world-famous Shambles, a delightful medieval street whose independent shops and tearooms will provide a magical ending to your weekend away.

For a full list of York attractions, click here.

Edinburgh city breaks

Scotland's capital is celebrated the world over for its iconic events and festivals, from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe – held in August – to the city's Hogmanay celebrations on New Year's Eve. You'll find plenty to do at this time of year, too, though, from visiting the picture-perfect Edinburgh Castle – five-time winner of the Best Heritage Attraction gong at the British Travel Awards – to taking a short hike up to Arthur's Seat, an ancient volcano that affords spectacular views over the city.

Fancy trying a wee dram or two? Then head to The Scotch Whiskey Experience at the top of the Royal Mile, where you can sample some of the best regional varieties in the company of genuine whiskey experts. 

Once you've finished sipping, why not take a tour of the awe-inspiring Palace of Holyroodhouse – the Queen's official residence in Edinburgh. Visitors can marvel at the opulent State Apartments and Throne Room, and learn all about historic figures such as Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie.

If you prefer more contemporary attractions, then the Camera Obscure and World of Illusions is a must-visit. Spread over five floors, it contains 100 fascinating interactive exhibits, from mind-bending illusions to 'virtual' tours of Edinburgh's streets. You'll certainly feel like you got your money's worth!

For a full list of Edinburgh attractions, click here.

Belfast city breaks

Hear the name Belfast and you immediately think of the Titanic – the doomed vessel was built in the shipyards of the Northern Ireland capital. You can learn all about this iconic ship's amazing history, and ultimate demise, by visiting Titanic Belfast, a spectacular attraction that features nine interactive galleries, Titanic-inspired food outlets and a Titanic gift shop. 

There's so much more to do in Belfast, though, so you'll need to plan your visit carefully to ensure that you don't miss out on anything. The vast Ulster Museum is home to a wide range of captivating exhibits, from dinosaurs to an authentic Egyptian mummy. The Belfast Castle Estate is a great choice for outdoors types, featuring routes through beautiful landscaped gardens and mixed ancient woodlands, not to mention wonderful views across the city. And then there's Linen Hall Library, an imposing cultural hub whose Political Collection alone includes some 250,000 tomes. 

For a full list of Belfast attractions, click here.

Do more with Boundless

Boundless members can enjoy year-round discounts on a range of products, including National Express coach tickets, Enterprise car hire, accommodation from Hotels.com and a huge choice of days out and UK breaks through Virgin Experience Days.

Photos: Getty Images