2026 Tickets now available, every Saturday night from 18th July to 12th September
The North East’s biggest Pyromusical takes place on Saturday 31 October 2026.
An epic retelling of the Lambton Worm myth.
Legend of the Wear transforms a vast lake into the stage for a breathtaking live-action show inspired by North East folklore and the famous Lambton Worm story.
Water erupts, chaos unfolds and a mysterious force moves beneath the surface in a visually spectacular experience that leaves audiences in awe.
At the heart of the story is John, a young hero whose courage and compassion shape the fate of his community.
Set in a small riverside village in the north of England, Legend of the Wear draws on the Lambton Worm legend to tell a powerful story of fear, belief and compassion.
At the heart of the tale is John, a young local hero whose kindness and courage set him apart, and Elisabeth, a mysterious outcast woman feared by the wider community. When superstition turns neighbour against neighbour, suspicion and cruelty begin to take hold — with devastating consequences.
As John is drawn away on a dangerous mission, ancient forces beneath the water are disturbed. The village is thrown into chaos, and long-held beliefs are pushed to breaking point. What follows is an epic confrontation between fear and understanding, played out through dramatic water stunts, powerful live performance and mythic forces that seem to move beneath the lake itself — asking whether compassion can succeed where violence fails.
• A large-scale live-action water stunt show
• A vast lakeside village backdrop framing the action
• Powerful storytelling brought to life through movement and performance
• Moments of drama, tension and spectacle inspired by northern myth
• A family-friendly retelling of a famous local legend
Yes. The show is inspired by the Lambton Worm, one of the North East’s most famous and enduring local myths.
No. The show is designed to be enjoyed whether you’re familiar with the legend or discovering it for the first time.
The show is inspired by folklore and legend rather than historical events.
Yes. The story is designed to be enjoyed by families together.
No. Legend of the Wear is included with your Kynren – The Storied Lands day ticket. Seating is allocated on a first-come visit.
The show is a seated outdoor performance.
Show times are published at 5:30pm the day before your visit on the website and mobile app so you can plan your day appropriately. We recommend reviewing the times to ensure that you do not miss out.
The legend of the Lambton Worm is a traditional North East folktale connected to the River Wear and the Lambton family of County Durham.
The story is believed to date back to the medieval period and was passed down through generations as an oral legend. It was later written down and popularised in the 19th century, when Victorian writers and musicians helped preserve many regional folk tales.
Today, it remains one of the North East’s most famous legends.
According to the legend, a young nobleman caught a mysterious creature while fishing in the River Wear. He threw it away — but it later grew into a monstrous “worm” (an old English word for dragon) that terrorised the surrounding countryside.
The River Wear is central to the story, grounding the legend firmly in County Durham and linking it to the landscape that visitors can still experience today.
