JUST a few hours from Bristol, the capital makes for an easy escape on a Friday evening. My boyfriend and I took the train from Bristol Temple Meads at 5pm and arrived in Paddington before 6.45pm – roughly the time Londoners are starting to finish work for the day.

The streets were busy with people coming from all directions and there was an air of excitement as everyone was winding down for the weekend.

At Paddington we took our only tube journey of the weekend – to Leicester Square. Despite its reputation, the centre is surprisingly compact and from here on we walked everywhere we needed to go.

We were staying at the sumptuous five-star Radisson Edwardian Hampshire Hotel, which overlooks the square.

Celebrity spotters will recognise the area as the place where A-listers parade up and down on a red carpet when a film premiere takes place.

Sadly the square is being redeveloped at the moment so it was largely fenced off but work is due to end soon. Even worse, George Clooney was nowhere to be seen.

After checking into our plush suite we enjoyed some cocktails in the bar before strolling the five minutes across the square to the Empire Casino.

There we were given a mini poker lesson. The casino was huge and without some helpful tips from croupier Malcolm I would have felt quite intimidated about getting involved in a game. Luckily, gambling with fake chips seemed a lot safer. We played a few games until we got a handle on the rules and after I had been beaten twice by my boyfriend, it was dinner time.

We ate in the Flame Bar and Restaurant, which I would recommend whether you gamble or not. The food – steak, sweet potatoes and vegetables – was excellent, and washed down nicely with a bottle of rioja.

After we a had a look around the casino we went upstairs to the bar, complete with balcony over the square, for some more drinks.

The following day we had an early start and a meeting with David Thompson, a London Blue Badge Guide.

David walked us up and down Regent Street, encouraging us to look upwards and learn more about the history of some of the fantastic architecture. Even though I had walked the street many times he pointed out several features I had never seen and his enthusiasm and knowledge were first class.

The tour is linked to a Regent Street walking tour phone app which is available to download and would give anyone strolling around the area a whole new perspective. We were so carried away that we continued walking after David left us and took in the sights of the South Bank, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

Then it was back to Hedden Street, a hidden lane off the main shopping drag. There we dined at Italian restaurant Piccolino's. The food is rustic and delicious. I was recommended one of the special pasta dishes, my boyfriend had an incredible pizza and we would have been quite happy to eat there all day.

But the weird and wonderful was awaiting us at Ripley's Believe it or Not! From pictures made from butterflies to a knitted Ferrari, and the world's biggest chair, there are five floors of treasures in the huge museum.

Our guide, Erica, was so enthusiastic it was impossible not to get carried away. She took us through a maze made of mirrors and encouraged us to have a go at a laser game that saw us both crawling on the floor trying not to get hit by the lights.

Then I had a date with a fashion advisor – the part of the weekend I was dreading.

I went to John Lewis on Oxford Street and had the very real fear I might be made to stand in my underwear looking at my body, Gok Wan-style. Instead, I chatted to a lovely lady who gave me some helpful tips on colours and styles of clothes to try and then we hit the shop floor and tried a few outfits on.

The free appointment normally lasts two hours and would be great for anyone trying to find an outfit for a special occasion, especially since the London shop seems to stock everything you could ever need.

Afterwards it was only a short walk back to Warwick Street where we dined at So, a Japanese restaurant.

We weren't really sure what to eat, so opted for a little of everything. We started with light and refreshing tuna pieces and some lotus root chips, and moved on to hotter mains – chicken teriyaki and lamb chops.

Despite being full to the brim, we found some room for dessert and tried some amazing, albeit strangely coloured, green tea cake and black sesame seed ice cream.

With full stomachs we went out into the night for the thing the West End is best-known for: the stage.

We walked to The Fortune Theatre, in Covent Garden, and watched The Woman In Black.

The theatre is intimate and with only two actors on stage for the main part, the tension builds and builds. After being frightened half to death we walked home, noting that even in the late hours of the evening the streets were full of people enjoying themselves.

Sunday was a more relaxing day of activities. We ate a big breakfast at the hotel, which offered everything from smoked salmon to a bacon sandwich, and reluctantly checked out of our room.

Then we made our way to St Christopher's Place, near Bond Street, another hidden little street of surprises.

We popped into Rituals, a beauty salon where I had my make-up done and my boyfriend had a hand massage. It was a nice way to unwind after what had felt like a hectic weekend.

Even better, we followed it up with afternoon tea at The Wolseley in Piccadilly.

The former car showroom only opened as a restaurant a few years ago but we felt as though we had been whisked back to glamour of the 1920s as we nibbled cucumber sandwiches and scones served on silver platters. It was a lovely end to a lovely weekend.

There is so much to do in London, 48-hours was barely enough time to cover a small area, but it was perfect for those looking for a fun-filled getaway.