A new attraction in the United Kingdom is being billed as no ordinary theme park, thanks to the live-action, historical shows and immersive storytelling about the country’s past and foundational myths that will be on offer there.
Kynren – The Storied Lands in County Durham, in the northeast of England, is, organisers say, “a world where legends come to life” through “spectacular action and unforgettable shared experiences.”
The park began operations in 2016 with just one outdoor night show, called An Epic Tale of England, through which two millennia of British history unfolded in about 30 scenes, taking the audience through Boudicca’s stand against the Romans to George Stephenson’s invention of the first successful steam locomotive in Darlington, not far away.
@kynrenuk We recently welcomed the media for an exclusive first look at The Lost Feather – just one of five spectacular live shows included in your day at Kynren – The Storied Lands. 🦅✨ After months of building, rehearsing and bringing extraordinary stories to life, we're almost ready to welcome you through the gates. On Saturday 18 July, we finally open the UK's first live-action show park, where epic live performances and unforgettable adventures are all included in one ticket. The countdown is well and truly on, and we can't wait to share everything we've been creating with you. 🎟️ Opening day is almost here – book now and be among the first to discover Kynren – The Storied Lands this summer. #Kynren #TheStoriedLands #TheLostFeather #ThemePark #NewOpening ♬ original sound – Kynren
Since then it has garnered multiple awards, including TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award every year since 2018, a Gold conservation prize for its dedication to preserving habitats that attract insects and birds, and winner of Livestock Building of the Year in 2025 for its “state-of-the-art” aviaries.
Those aviaries house the creatures that perform in The Lost Feather, a free-flying bird show that is one of Kynren flagship experiences, alongside The Trusty Steed, in which medieval knights complete horseback stunts on horseback; Land of the Vikings, a “high-energy live-action Viking show” the lakeside spectacular Legend of the Wear, and the characterful mazes of the Victorian Imaginariums.
Boasting medieval settlements, and plans for a recreation of a Victorian village, complete with shops, there are already a food court, refreshment kiosks, and a bar on site, as well as feasts offering history-inspired dishes and cocktails.
The day park is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 18 July to 12 September 2026. Day tickets (valid from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm) cost £30 (around €35 for adults and £20 (€23.50) for children, while standard night tickets for a show in the 8,000-seat Tribune arena cost the same but go up in price for deluxe and VIP experiences.
The park taps into current travel and leisure trends towards the experiential over the material, with one of the most anticipated events of the year in the form of The North East’s Biggest Pyromusical on Saturday 31 October 2026, a 25-minute fireworks display that, organisers promise, will be “a magical, multi-sensory experience lighting up the night skies above Bishop Auckland.”
Despite the focus on immersion not consumerism, Georgian and Viking themed gift shops are also on site, proposing a range of merchandise so that visitors can take away a memento of their time at the attraction.
