Our walking guide was the spitting image of my future mother-in-law but I tried not to let it distract me.

Actually, I didn't have time to dwell on my initial surprise as we launched into a one-and-a-half hour energetic tour through London's theatreland.

It was the start of a two-day trip to discover how the West End has
developed and what it has to offer in its centenary year.

As we wandered around the capital's theatrical landmarks it was hard not to be completely consumed with the same enthusiasm our blue badge guide Diane Burstein possessed for the area.

I found myself looking at buildings I have passed numerous times on trips to the capital but to which I have previously never given a second thought.

There were entertaining anecdotes about theatres and their owners, and as well as taking in famous landmarks like the Royal Opera House we discovered the secret, smaller places that remind you of what London used to be like.

The Centenary walk of London's West End has been specially commissioned by the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) to take place on the last Sunday of every month from April until September to celebrate its landmark anniversary.

Although theatres existed well before 1908, it was in this year that the Society of West End Theatre Managers (now SOLT) was formed in response to the growing need for a central organisation to oversee the theatre industry, which was becoming big business.

It's easy to be bewildered by the labyrinth of hotels, theatres, restaurants and bars that make up the West End but the area is so vibrant and exciting that I think it should be an essential part of any trip to London.

There are also plenty of places to stay. We stopped at the charming Radisson Edwardian Mountbatten located in the Seven Dials district of Covent Garden – a stone's throw from the theatres and tourist hotspots. We were just a few minutes' walk away from the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, home of the stage version of JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.

With production costs of £25m, it is the most expensive West End Show ever produced. But if you want to see it you'll have to be quick because after our visit to London it was announced that Lord of the Rings is closing on July 19 – just over a year into its run. Having purposely avoided all the books and films, I wasn't convinced I was going to enjoy the musical. And I was right.

The scenery, along with the moving stage and props, was spectacular. However, with no memorable songs and a rushed plot I failed to see how turning the epic story into a two-and-a-half-hour musical enhanced it.

Despite my reservations, though, our group's views were divided, with half the people absolutely loving the show.

For me, the best part was the backstage tour we were treated to at the end of the performance. Seeing how the special effects, remarkable costumes and amazing puppetry worked together to create the show was fascinating. There's no denying the huge amount of time and effort that has gone into the production.

It was after my disappointment with Lord of the Rings that I was more than a little sceptical about seeing our second show the next night, Billy Elliot the Musical.

I love the 2000 film starring Jamie Bell and Julie Walters and I really didn't know how the musical could top it – even if Elton John did write the score. And so it was that I settled into my seat at the Victoria Palace Theatre with the mindset of "go on then, entertain me".

Entertain me? It absolutely blew me away. It's billed as one of the most exciting musicals of the decade and I couldn't agree more. It's the same funny, heart-warming story about a northern boy's triumph over adversity, but dare I say it, I thought the musical was even better. The performances were just as good, and in some cases even better, than the film and, unlike Lord of the Rings, I felt the songs enhanced the story.

Thirteen-year-old Josh Fedrick is one of a handful of boys who currently plays the title role and at the end of the show he got a deserved standing ovation.

I left the theatre with a skip in my step and wondering at what age it is too old to start ballet lessons.

With so many shows on offer in the West End you are bound to find something to enjoy. The difficulty I have now is finding time to fit in all the shows I have now added to my list.

But even with the half price tickets available in Leicester Square the cost can soon mount up so it's lucky there are plenty of other attractions to keep visitors entertained in this part of London. Daily backstage tours are available at some of the West End's most popular theatres. One of the best is the tour of the Royal Opera House. As it's a fully working theatre, each tour is a unique experience and may include an opportunity to see The Royal Ballet in class or the magnificent backstage technology in operation. We were lucky enough to see a couple of dancers practising their moves in one of the rehearsal rooms. There is also a good restaurant and snack bar.

If you like theatre design then the V&A museum's exhibition Collaborators: UK Design for Performance 2003-2007 is a good place to go. And it's free.

On display until November 18, the exhibition displays a selection of the best British theatre designs of the last four years.

One thing I usually have difficulty with when visiting London is knowing good places to eat and drink without breaking the bank. For those going to see a show, many restaurants in the West End do a reasonably-priced pre-theatre dinner menu. We ate at Joe Allen in Covent Garden, known as the best kept secret of the London crowd. Its discreet entrance with a simple plaque on the wall ensures that it doesn't attract the usual touristy crowd and we were told it's a good place for spotting celebrities.

The Parisian-themed Jewel Bars in Piccadilly and Covent Garden are ideal for pre or post-theatre drinks. Rich velvet cushions cover the seating areas providing a luxurious feel and ornate crystal chandeliers cascade from the ceilings and walls. In fact, they provide such a cosy atmosphere that you might even decide to forget the theatre altogether and work your way through the cocktail menu instead.

Staying there:
Lizzie Murphy's rail travel to London was with National Express. For details about tickets, visit www.nationalexpress eastcoast.com or call 08457 225 225

Lizzie stayed at the Radisson Edwardian Mountbatten, Monmouth Street, Seven Dials, Covent Garden. The hotel offers room and theatre packages. Prices for a one-night stay in the 4-star hotel combined with a top theatre ticket to see The Sound of Music start from £99pp, based on two people sharing, until October 1. Visit www.radissonedwardian.com/
mountbatten or call 020 7836 4300

For more information about things to do in London, go to www.visitlondon.com