The Leeds museum has extensive displays of arms and armour as well as its research facilities. © Board of Trustees of the Armouries.

The Chronicles of Froissart Exhibition: Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds

This illuminating exhibition features beautifully illustrated medieval manuscripts documenting the Hundred Years’ War between England and France (1337-1453) on display in their original form and also in cutting-edge digital splendour.

See an original manuscript of one of John Froissart’s Chronicles – the author was a poet, traveller, interviewer, and journalist and a survivor of the battle of Agincourt. Compare the pictures of medieval armour with the real thing, including a chance to see the finest surviving example of a 14th century helmet. A real treat to put on your Christmas wishlist.

Admission is free. The exhibition runs until 6 April 2008. See the Royal Armouries Museum website for more details.

The National Railway Museum in York houses a vast collection of famous engines © National Railway Museum

Art in Motion: Memory, Meanings and Movement at The National Railway Museum

First year art students from York St John University have created a series of unique artworks inspired by the National Railway Museum’s permanent collections. Creatively exploring the many connections that people have with the railways, visitors will be challenged to think about how railways have influenced how we see ourselves, and the world around us. Rail buffs of all ages will be making tracks to catch this over the Christmas holiday.

Admission is free and the exhibition runs until 31 January 2008. Closed 24, 25, 26 December. See the National Railway Museum website for more details.

Yorkshire Museum and Gardens

Fingerprints of Time: Yorkshire Museum & Gardens

Ever wondered how old something was? This interactive exhibition has set itself the task of investigating the age of just about everything, from 4.5 billion year old Middlesbrough Meteorite to the swords of rampaging Viking invaders.

Visitors will have a chance to be detectives by using dating code methods used all around the world. Family friendly and fun, this is an interactive way for people to work out for themselves how old something is and discover how we know so much about the past.

The exhibition runs until 31 December 2007. The museum is open daily from 10am until 5pm, except 25 and 26 December and 1 January. It usually closes mid-afternoon on 24 and 31 December. See the Yorkshire Museum website for more details.

Thackray Museum

Body Parts: New for Old! at Thackray Museum, Leeds

How similar have we become to science fiction characters like the Six Million Dollar Man and Robocop? Is Bionic Woman still science fiction or now science fact? Explore the world of false body implants and limbs and discover how scientists and engineers make replacement parts that function as part of the human body. Where will their discoveries lead to in the future?

The award-winning Thackray Museum is one of the UK’s leading museums, telling the story of medicine and explaining how advances in medicine have changed our lives in a fun, interactive way.

Museum Admission: Adult £5.50, Child £4.00, Concession £4.50, Family (2+3) £18.00, Parking £1. This family friendly exhibition runs until 31 August 2008. Closed 24th, 25th, 26th, 31st December and 1st January. See the Thackray Museum website for more details.