Invited Audience Gets Exclusive Preview of UK’s First Live-Action Show Park Ahead of Opening
Published July 8, 2026
An invited audience has become the first people to experience all five spectacular live productions at Kynren – The Storied Lands ahead of the opening of the UK’s first live action show park on 18th July.
Guests gathered in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, over the weekend for an exclusive preview showcasing the attraction’s new daytime visitor experiences, created by the team behind the internationally acclaimed Kynren – An Epic Tale of England.
Legend of the Wear was one of five new shows debuted to this first audience, in advance of Kynren – The Storied Lands’ official opening on 18 July 2026.
Throughout the afternoon and evening, visitors experienced each of the park’s five headline live productions, beginning with The Trusty Steed, where medieval knights, horseback stunts and acrobatics combine in a thrilling arena spectacular.
The Trusty Steed sees dramatic equestrian stunts, trick-riding and acrobatics.
They then witnessed The Lost Feather, a breathtaking production staged within a giant eagle’s nest-inspired arena, featuring dozens of free-flying birds including eagles, vultures, owls, cranes and macaws, alongside a powerful conservation message exploring humanity’s relationship with the natural world.
The journey continued through Victorian Imaginariums, an immersive outdoor world filled with curious characters, inventions and larger-than-life storytelling, before moving into Land of the Vikings, where visitors explored an authentic Viking settlement before experiencing a dramatic live performance of fire, combat and Norse legend.
Land of the Vikings explores a traditional norse settlement before visitors take their seats and witness a dramatic show full of fiery effects.
The preview concluded with Legend of the Wear, a spectacular lakeside production inspired by the legendary Lambton Worm, combining original music, water stunts, large-scale theatrical effects and immersive storytelling on one of the attraction’s most ambitious outdoor stages.
Guests also sampled The Time Travellers’ Feast, a new immersive dining experience that forms part of the daytime and evening visitor offer, before many rounded off their visit by attending a performance of Kynren – An Epic Tale of England, which continues to run on selected summer evenings alongside the new daytime attraction.
Opening to the public on 18th July, Kynren – The Storied Lands represents a major new addition to the UK’s visitor attraction landscape. Designed as a full day experience, it combines live performance, spectacular sets, historic landscapes, free-flying birds, horses, immersive environments and original music to transport visitors through history, myth and legend.
Victorian Imaginariums features part of the village that was relocated from Flambards in Cornwall. The full village is set to open in 2027 as part of a wider expansion, pending final planning approval.
“Today marked an incredibly important milestone as we welcomed one of our first invited audiences to experience Kynren – The Storied Lands in its entirety,” said Anna Warnecke, Chief Executive of Kynren.
“For the first time, people were able to journey through all five live shows and immersive experiences exactly as our visitors will when we officially open later this month.
“We have created 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.
“Seeing our first audiences react to the shows has been a proud and emotional moment for everyone involved,” she added.
Kynren – The Storied Lands is set to open on 18 July as a major new daytime attraction, offering ambitious stages and productions in the UK’s first live-action show park.
Kynren – The Storied Lands opens on 18th July in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, operating as a major new daytime attraction alongside the award-winning evening spectacular Kynren – An Epic Tale of England.
Together they create one of Britain’s most distinctive day-to-night visitor experiences. To find out more and book tickets, click here.
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