Major daytime expansion launches at Bishop Auckland
Kynren – The Storied Lands opened to the public in Bishop Auckland today, marking a significant expansion at the site in the shadow of Auckland Castle. Timed to coincide with the first performance of Kynren’s tenth summer season, the new visitor offer converts a 150-acre area into a sequence of immersive daytime experiences developed by the team behind the award‑winning evening spectacular, Kynren – An Epic Tale of England.
The launch follows years of planning, design and construction, with the grounds reworked into themed settings where live performances, set-piece staging, music, animals and storytelling run throughout the day. The initiative positions Bishop Auckland as a focal point for heritage‑led tourism in County Durham at the height of the summer holiday period.
Five productions across purpose-built spaces
Visitors now encounter five large‑scale productions, each staged in its own dedicated arena:
- The Lost Feather – a free‑flight bird experience featuring sea eagles, vultures, African crowned cranes, macaws, owls and more, exploring the relationship between people and the natural world.
- Land of the Vikings – a recreated Norse settlement culminating in an action‑driven show with fire and battle.
- The Trusty Steed – a celebration of horsemanship and stunt riding focused on the partnership between horse and rider.
- Legend of the Wear – a lakeside retelling of the North East tale of the Lambton Worm.
- Victorian Imaginariums – an outdoor world inspired by invention, curiosity and 19th‑century creativity.
Two of the productions, The Lost Feather and Legend of the Wear, feature original musical scores recorded by the BBC Concert Orchestra, adding a symphonic layer to on‑site performance.
At a glance: what’s new on site
| Area | Focus | Notable features |
|---|---|---|
| The Lost Feather | Free‑flight birds | Sea eagles; vultures; African crowned cranes; macaws; owls |
| Land of the Vikings | Norse settlement | Immersive set; fire and battle show |
| The Trusty Steed | Equestrian | Stunt riding; horsemanship |
| Legend of the Wear | Local folklore | Lambton Worm retelling; lakeside staging |
| Victorian Imaginariums | Invention & curiosity | Outdoor experiential world |
County Durham context and visitor appeal
The addition of daytime worlds expands the Bishop Auckland site beyond the evening showcase that has become a fixture of County Durham’s cultural calendar. Sited next to Auckland Castle, the attraction draws on local landscape and stories, with the Legend of the Wear anchoring the programme in the region’s folklore. The integration of animal displays, equestrian performance and large‑scale set pieces is designed to extend dwell‑time on site and broaden the demographic appeal to families and day‑trippers.
In practical terms, hosting multiple productions in purpose‑built spaces allows for staggered scheduling throughout the day, complementing the evening programme that returns for its landmark tenth season. For Bishop Auckland, the move strengthens the town’s position as a cultural destination within County Durham, aligning heritage interpretation with live entertainment during the peak summer months.
What today’s opening means for the season ahead
By launching Kynren – The Storied Lands on the same day as the first evening performance of the new season, organisers have effectively created a full‑day itinerary connecting themed environments, live shows and music. The presence of original scores recorded by the BBC Concert Orchestra underscores the production ambition, while the expanded footprint across 150 acres indicates a long‑term commitment to the site’s development.
As the summer progresses, the five daytime productions will run alongside the evening spectacular, offering residents and visitors additional ways to engage with County Durham’s stories and landscapes on a single campus adjacent to one of the North East’s most important historic settings.
