GLT’s Alice Tegg got to experience Kynren’s all-new immersive day park, home to Viking epics, medieval underdogs and eccentric Victorians, ahead of its grand opening on 18th July.
Fire, feathers and fast-paced action: Kynren’s new day park packs in the drama as it brings centuries of English history to life. After a decade of dazzling evening performances, groups can now experience five daytime shows and immersive walk-through experiences that delve deeper into the eras that have shaped how we live today.
The excitement was palpable amongst the crowd as we entered the park, and from the moment I caught my first glimpse of one of the jaw-dropping sets - a full-scale waterfront village complete with rotating watermill – I knew it was going to be unlike anything I’d seen before. The multi-million-pound expansion has been eagerly anticipated since plans were announced at the beginning of 2025.
Set on the same site in Bishop Auckland as the popular night show, Kynren – The Storied Lands is the UK’s first live-action show park. Not a theme park in the traditional sense - instead of rides, groups will be immersed in different time periods through live performance and carefully crafted sets.
Chief executive Anna Warnecke described it as “something entirely new for the UK; a full day of live entertainment where storytelling, history, extraordinary performances and the natural world come together to create an experience unlike anything else.”
Kynren’s award-winning night show, An Epic Tale of England, is now in its tenth year. A cast and crew of more than 1,000 volunteers, aged five to 85, take to the huge 7.5 acre stage every Saturday evening over summer to present 2,000 years of turbulent and triumphant English history in a 90-minute spectacle of live-action cinema. The new day park perfectly complements the night show by further exploring history’s most impactful eras and legends.
Speaking at the opening show, Anna was emotional as she introduced The Storied Lands to us. “If you ever think of creating a theme park in the North East, maybe don’t”, she joked as she explained how challenging and rewarding this project has been. A huge labour of love, the time, passion and dedication poured into the park by Anna, her crew and professional performers was clear to see.
Stepping into a world of storytelling
One of my favourite shows was The Trusty Steed, an underdog story of medieval proportions featuring jousting, sword fights and staggering stunts. The incredible skills of Kynren’s professional riders were on full display as they hung upside down, clung on by one hand (or foot) and dangled precariously close to the legs of their galloping horses in a thrilling tournament to impress the King.
Another highlight was Land of the Vikings. At this full-scale settlement, groups can interact with Vikings as they go about daily life - there’s a working blacksmith, tents and cooking areas - before sitting down for the show. In a tale of community, heritage and spirituality, we watched as warriors clashed in a fiery ring. The fight scenes were brilliant – fast-paced and full of drama, there was so much going on it was hard to know where to look!
The other shows were just as inspiring. We watched in awe as dozens of birds, including owls, vultures and colourful macaws, swooped over our heads during The Lost Feather, earning plenty of ‘ooh’s’ and ‘aah’s’ from their captivated audience. More than 250 birds in total take part in the airborne spectacular, and the finale sees them come together in a mass flight. It was extraordinary.
Legend of the Wear is an epic retelling of the Lambton Worm, a famous North East myth about a waterfront village that battled a mysterious and magical force. The tale is brought to life through special effects and high-energy stunts.
Offering a pleasant change of pace, the walk-through Victorian Imaginarium featured a civilised garden party set within a hedge maze, turn-of-the-century shops and a cast of eccentric characters who mingled among us. Stopping by Birch & Birch for a packet of bonbons and broken biscuits is a must.
Total immersion
The attention to detail was breathtaking: authentic costumes, pyrotechnics and cinematic soundscapes. Elaborate stages transport you through the ages, be it the Viking settlement enclosed by a wall of real timber logs, engraved with markings and sharpened to an intimidating point, or the enormous eagle’s nest that opens into a dramatic amphitheatre for The Lost Feather. The Kynren team have considered everything when building these worlds - there’s even a Neolithic-themed outdoor playground.
All this excitement works up an appetite. There’s a café serving hot and cold meals, alongside kiosks and picnic areas. I was lucky enough to try the Time Traveller’s Feast which combines dinner theatre with a historic culinary experience. As we tucked into platters of roast beef, winter vegetables, cheese and charcuterie, washed down with a Roman-era cocktail, we were joined in the hall by roaring Vikings and the court of Henry VIII. Groups will be able to add this onto night-show or combined tickets.
The first chapter
This is just the beginning for The Storied Lands. More shows and immersive experiences are planned for the not-too-distant future, including an expanded Victorian village and areas based on the Tudors, Romans and Robin Hood.
The opening season will run from 18th July to 12th September. Kynren – The Storied Lands will be open Tuesday – Sunday, while Kynren – An Epic Tale of England will be performed on Saturdays and occasional Fridays. Daytime shows last around 30 minutes and will be staged several times a day.
Groups of 20+ receive discounted rates for both the day park and night show; combined tickets are available on dates when the night show is scheduled. Coach drivers get free entry and there’s free (but limited) coach parking.
A weekend in County Durham
As well as attending the preview of Kynren - The Storied Lands, I spent the weekend with Visit County Durham experiencing some of the top attractions for groups in and around Bishop Auckland. We started at the Auckland Project, a fascinating and ambitious collection of galleries, museums and the Auckland Palace.
We also visited Raby Castle, a highlight of my weekend with beautiful gardens and castle rooms. The volunteers in each room were so knowledgeable, they really made the experience. Our final stop was The Bowes Museum which houses a vast collection of European art, visiting exhibitions and the one-of-a-kind Silver Swan. All four attractions are within a 30-minute drive, making an easy and enjoyable long weekend itinerary. Plus, staying at the group-friendly Park Head Hotel was very convenient for reaching them all.
Find out more about group visits to Kynren at: kynren.com/group-travel-trade
