Construction is gathering pace on one of the most ambitious and distinctive attractions ever created for a UK visitor destination, as the vast Lost Feather arena continues to take shape at Kynren – The Storied Lands.
The striking new venue, featuring a colossal bird’s nest, is rapidly taking shape despite the recent inclement weather, and the team is preparing to begin the intricate and painstaking task of weaving the timber logs into place.
When complete, the 2,500 -seat arena will form the setting for a UK-first mass free-flying experience, unlike anything previously staged in Britain.
The nest-inspired structure has been conceived to feel organic, powerful and permanent – a bold architectural statement that reflects both the ambition of the attraction and its deep connection to the natural world.
At its heart, The Lost Feather will combine large-scale live performance, conservation storytelling and natural avian behaviour.
More than 250 birds will take to the sky in the production, flying across a vast arena that includes a lake and sweeping hillside stage.
The result will be an immersive and emotionally resonant experience designed not only to inspire awe, but to foster a deeper understanding of the fragile relationship between birds and humanity and the urgent need to protect bird species both locally and globally.
Anna Warnecke, Chief Executive of Kynren – The Storied Lands, said the progress on site marked a significant milestone for the project.
“The Lost Feather represents one of the boldest creative statements we have ever made,” she said.
“What is now rising from the ground is more than an arena – it is a space designed to move people emotionally and leave a lasting impression.
“This will be a truly unique experience for the UK, grounded in excellence, compassion and an unshakeable commitment to conservation.”
The attraction is being developed under the leadership of some of the UK’s most respected avian specialists, whose combined experience spans leading conservation organisations and pioneering free-flight programmes.
This approach is linked with wider conservation initiatives and education programmes across the site. reinforcing Kynren – The Storied Lands’ ambition to create experiences that have meaning far beyond the performance space.
The Lost Feather will form part of Phase One of The Storied Lands, joining a slate of major new live-action productions including an epic medieval horse spectacle, a high-impact Viking show and Legend of the Wear, a dramatic retelling of the Lambton Worm myth set on a lakeside stage with a backdrop of a life-sized village.