A new chapter is rising in Durham as Kynren - The Storied Lands prepares to unveil one of the most ambitious visitor experiences ever created in the UK.

With breathtaking new arenas, world‑class craftsmanship, and an extraordinary line‑up of immersive shows coming to life across the sprawling site, 2026 is shaping up to be the most exciting season Kynren has ever staged.

What Is The Storied Lands?

Kynren – The Storied Lands is an ambitious new live‑action show park in Bishop Auckland, expanding the world of the award‑winning Kynren production into a full‑day immersive experience. Set across a vast, purpose‑built landscape, The Storied Lands will transport visitors through time and myth with large‑scale arenas, cinematic sets, wildlife‑led storytelling and adrenaline‑fuelled spectacles.

From Neolithic settlements and Viking clashes to soaring free‑flying birds and epic medieval horse displays, the attraction blends drama, heritage, nature and world‑class production craft to create one of the UK’s most exciting new experiences. 

The Lost Feather Takes Flight - A Landmark Arena Rises

At the heart of the Storied Lands is The Lost Feather, a vast 2,500‑seat arena unlike anything seen before in Britain. Inspired by a giant bird’s nest, the colossal open‑air venue is taking dramatic shape as teams begin the intricate process of weaving timber logs into the organic, nest‑like structure. Despite winter weather challenges, construction is progressing at pace, signalling the arrival of a UK‑first mass free‑flying bird experience.

More than 250 birds from species across the globe will soar over audiences across a lakeside setting and sweeping hillside stage, blending live performance, natural behaviour and conservation‑led storytelling. The result promises to be an emotionally rich spectacle that highlights the fragile relationship between humans and birds, encouraging deeper reflection on the urgent need to protect them worldwide.

The project is being developed with some of the UK’s leading avian specialists, ensuring both authenticity and a powerful conservation message at its core.

Raising the Roof - Hollywood Craftsmanship Adds Star Quality

Adding even more cinematic magic to the site, Kynren has enlisted Brandon Thatchers – renowned specialists in film and television production to create full‑scale, thatched roofs for the new lakeside village being built for Legend of the Wear, one of the park’s flagship new shows.

This team of traditional craftsmen, whose work has featured in Game of Thrones, The Witcher, Gladiator II, Paddington 2, and numerous Royal Shakespeare Company productions, is lending its artistry to Kynren’s permanent set design. Their task: constructing authentic, two‑storey thatched buildings that look as if they’ve been lifted straight from a cinematic medieval landscape.

For Brandon Thatchers, Kynren represents an opportunity to apply film‑calibre detail to a project that prioritises authenticity. As project lead Dicken Warner puts it, “These are full‑size buildings, and the craftsmanship being applied here is on a par with the biggest productions we’ve worked on.”

This attention to detail sets the tone for the entire destination: immersive environments, real materials, believable worlds. All designed to deepen the visitor experience.

Legend of the Wear – A Lakeside Epic

One of the centrepieces of the new season is Legend of the Wear, a dramatic retelling of the famed Lambton Worm myth. In this show, a vast lake becomes a living stage, transformed by full‑scale set pieces, stunts, and atmospheric storytelling. The newly built thatched village forms the backdrop to thrilling water sequences and large‑scale theatrical moments that promise to captivate visitors of all ages. 

A Journey Through Time: New Shows Across the Park

This July, visitors can look forward to an entirely reimagined Kynren experience, beginning in Neolithic Britain, where the first settlers appear amid ancient landscapes. From there, guests are swept into a high‑impact Viking show, with fiery clashes, roaring battle scenes and visceral storytelling capturing the world of Norse warriors.

These experiences form Phase One of The Storied Lands, signalling just the beginning of a much bigger vision. With multiple new shows, large‑scale environments and an atmosphere of pure storytelling magic, summer 2026 promises to be an unforgettable moment for returning fans and first‑time visitors alike.

This is the year Kynren truly spreads its wings, and you won’t want to miss it!