Heathrow Airport has plenty of shops and restaurants to tempt women travelers, but if you’ve got a long layover between connecting flights, you might find yourself wondering if there is a more interesting way to pass the time.

The short answer is, “Yes!” There are a couple of good sightseeing spots which you could visit if you’ve got a few hours to spare.

Hampton Court Palace is 45 minutes away by bus or half an hour by taxi. It was once the home of Henry VII. My favourite part is the Tudor kitchens, which were built to feed 600 people and are still in working order. You can watch meat being roasted on the massive open fires and pick up a few 16th century cookery tips.

The town of Windsor is even closer – half an hour by bus or 20 minutes by taxi. On a sunny day, it’s a pretty place for a walk along the river Thames and you can also visit Windsor Castle, the Queen’s favourite weekend retreat. One of the highlights is Queen Mary’s Doll House. It’s a palace on a small scale, with miniature furniture and working parts made by the master craftsmen of the day.

If you don’t have so much time to spare, another idea is to book a day room at one of the airport hotels. This lets you have a nap or a shower, or watch some TV for a while. Several hotels offer this service, including the Hilton London Heathrow Airport at the luxury end of the scale. It’s directly connected to Terminal 4, so it won’t take you long to get back. The Comfort Hotel Heathrow also has day rooms which are suitable for those on a budget. It’s 2 miles from the airport and is serviced by a shuttle bus.

Susan Radcliffe is a travel writer who is now based in London. She often flies in and out of the city’s airports, so she’s happy to share her tips for making the most of your trips. She writes for Airport Hotels.com, where you can compare prices on Heathrow Airport hotels.