London? A capital idea

Andrew Owen tries a London theatre break through website Attractiontix and Wrexham and Shropshire trains.

A weekend break in London watching a top show? Yes, that sounds good.

But it's probably expensive – and that's assuming you can get hold of the tickets to something halfway decent.

And then you've got to find a hotel without ending up in a flea pit, or miles from anywhere, or selling the children to pay for the room. And then there's the driving, and the petrol, and trying to find a parking space, and the… Actually, it's probably a lot easier to stay at home, thanks. There's possibly something almost watchable on Channel Five.

If that's your initial reaction, then think again. It's never been easier to visit the capital, stay in a top hotel and take in a show.

The website AttractionTix has a range of one or two-night hotel and theatre packages, all of which are available at the touch of a button.

I was invited to try one of the deals on offer: a night in the Crowne Plaza, a four-star hotel in Blackfriars, near the River Thames, and a ticket to see Hairspray, starring Michael Ball and Nigel Planer.

But how to get there? You could decide that it would be fun to drive – assuming your definition of fun includes some of the obstacles listed earlier on – but personally I think it's much easier to ditch the car and take the train.

Wrexham & Shropshire is now offering £40 return tickets from Shrewsbury, so it's a good time to board. If it's a special occasion – an anniversary, perhaps, you might want to upgrade to first class, in which case a return ticket – including a two-course meal – costs £162. It's definitely a good way to travel, and the food and service really are excellent.

From Marylebone it was an easy tube journey to the Crowne Plaza, a very modern hotel featuring all the comfort you could wish for. My room had a very big and very comfortable bed, en suite bathroom and shower, a large screen TV and a view looking out towards St Paul's Cathedral. It's a perfect base for a weekend away.

Our evening began with a meal in the hotel's Refettorio Italian restaurant. The food is excellent – it should be: the chef has a Michelin star.

We began with a choice of cheese, sausages and cured meats, before trying the main menu. I opted for the swordfish, which came with a salad of cherry tomatoes and rocket. An excellent start to a night out.

From the hotel it's a short journey to the Shaftesbury Theatre and Hairspray. You may have seen the recent film version of the musical. It's fun, but the live show, with its extraordinarily talented cast, is much, much better.

It's the sort of production that sends you out into the late evening with a stupid big grin on your face.

You could sport that stupid big grin on the bus, tube or taxi back to the hotel, but I decided to walk. London's a completely different city at night, and its centre seems so relaxed that somehow it's almost like being in a small town.

A short walk leads to Charing Cross Road and Leicester Square, and from there I walked to Trafalgar Square and on towards Fleet Street, once the beating heart of the national newspaper industry. There's only ghosts there now, and other than the occasional pedestrian heading home for the night the city seemed remarkably empty.

The following morning I had a couple of hours to kill before my train journey home. After a buffet breakfast best described as "full-on" – offering everything you would expect from a top hotel – I loosened my belt slightly and waddled outside.

I couldn't eat any more, but I still had food on my mind. I was heading over Blackfriars Bridge towards Borough Market, a fantastic sight on a Saturday morning. Every type of food you could want is on sale, with traders coming in from across south-east England and even France – I assume they bring their wines, cheeses, truffles and chocolates on the Eurostar. Apparently Jamie Oliver is a regular.

Borough Market has changed little since Dickens's day, and it's often used as a film location. Walk around and see if you can spot Leonard Bast's home in Howard's End, or the street from Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

You could easily spend a couple of days sightseeing in this area if you based yourself at the Crowne Plaza. There's the London Dungeon, the Globe Theatre and the South Bank all within a few miles, and on a nice day the Thames, and the city skyline, look wonderful.

However, I had a train to catch, so after the market it was over the Millennium Bridge towards St Paul's and, after an appreciative wander, back to the hotel and then to Marylebone.

The return train journey was as relaxing and enjoyable as the trip down, and the three hours to Telford flew past.

It was nice to be home, but it's also nice to know that the city and its attractions are easy to get to. All you need is your computer and two websites.

Travel facts

• Andrew Owen travelled from Telford to London Marylebone with Wrexham & Shropshire trains. Standard class return tickets cost £40, with railcard discounts available. For further details, including £10 advance single tickets, visit www.wrexhamandshropshire.co.uk

• AttractionTix ’s theatre packages include show tickets and either a one or two-night weekend stay in a four-star hotel. Adult prices start at £140 and are based on two people sharing a room. www.attractiontix.co.uk

• AttractionTix is an authorised online broker for more than 5,000 attractions, theme parks, shows and sightseeing tours around the world.

• AttractionTix promises low prices and no booking fees. Tickets are sent to the buyer’s email address for easy printing.

• For details on the Crowne Plaza London – The City click here