An entire medieval-themed hamlet has taken its place beside the lake at Kynren – The Storied Lands as final preparations continue ahead of the opening of the UK’s first live action show park on 18th July.
In one of the most unusual construction operations undertaken for a visitor attraction in Britain, a collection of full-size timber framed and thatched buildings including a water mill, a tower, docks and wharves has been carefully craned into position to create the setting for Legend of the Wear, one of the flagship productions at the new County Durham attraction.
Inspired by the story of the Lambton Worm and the folklore of the North East, the spectacular production will transform the lake into a living stage, combining dramatic storytelling, special effects, stunts and original music with a setting designed to evoke a medieval settlement on the banks of the River Wear.
The authentic buildings have been created using traditional woodworking and thatching techniques by specialist craftspeople including Brandon Thatchers, whose expertise in historic construction has been sought by major film and television productions for decades.
Rather than simple façades, the structures are fully realised buildings, individually lifted into place in a carefully coordinated operation which has seen cranes manoeuvre the completed sections around the lake and into their final positions.
With the installation now complete, the medieval hamlet forms a striking backdrop to one of the most ambitious productions ever created for a UK visitor attraction.
“Legend of the Wear draws deeply on the stories, landscape and folklore of the North East and we wanted the setting to reflect that authenticity,” said Anna Warnecke, CEO of Kynren.
“These are beautifully crafted buildings created using traditional techniques and seeing them take their place around the lake has been one of those moments when you realise just how extraordinary this project is becoming.
“Every detail matters because we want audiences to feel completely immersed in the world of the story. The scale of the production and the craftsmanship involved are unlike anything else in the UK,” she added.
Legend of the Wear is one of five major shows and immersive experiences that will form Kynren – The Storied Lands, a new daytime attraction created alongside the award-winning evening spectacular Kynren – An Epic Tale of England.
Opening on 18th July in Bishop Auckland, the multi million-pound development will invite visitors to journey through history, myth and legend through a series of live productions featuring horses, birds, water effects, music and large scale theatrical storytelling.