Kynren is back for 2026 and now boasts a bigger and better experience. The Storied Lands day park is the UK’s first live action day park and of course the award winning, outdoor live theatre show rounds off your visit. Here’s everything you need to know before you head along to Bishop Auckland and experience it for yourself.
What is Kynren?
Kynren is a live action theatre spectacle that takes you on a journey through 2,000 years of England’s history. The show takes place on a giant 7.5 acre stage with a lake and replica of Auckland Palace which appears as a backdrop for many of the scenes.
It can be hard to get a sense of the scale, but there’s a cast and crew of 1,000 people making Kynren happen, along with 150 animals. Look out for the geese waddling along, the flock of sheep and a donkey too!
Kynren is on every Saturday from 18 July through to 12 September.
How do I get tickets?
Standard tickets are £30 for adults, £20 for children. Book online on the Kynren website. You will need to book tickets for the night show separately to The Storied Lands day park – more on this below.
What’s The Storied Lands?
If you’ve visited Kynren before you might remember the Viking Village, which was a great interactive 9th century village (see the photos above). Kynren have taken this and really upped the ante with The Storied Lands which offers five daytime shows you can enjoy before the big evening spectacle – Kynren: An Epic Tale of England.
While the live action 90 minute show will only be taking place on Saturday evenings *and a couple of Fridays, The Storied Lands shows are running Tuesday to Sunday from 18 July to 12 September making it a great way to spend a day out over the summer!
What are the five shows?
Land of the Vikings offers an insight into Norse history and legend, with fire,warriors clashing and sparks flying.
The Lost Feather is a magnificent display of birds, soaring through the skies.
The Trusty Steed displays thrilling stunts and a sense of medieval adventure.
Legend of the Wear tells the tale of the Lambton Worm, with the setting of a local village and a stunning lake in the foreground.
Victorian Imaginariums takes you on a journey through a maze that is filled with surprises and stories.
Between the shows there’s plenty of time to relax, get refreshments and enjoy being outdoors. You’ll receive a schedule ahead of your visit to tell you when the shows are, so you can plan ahead if you’d like to.
The Time Traveller’s Feast
New for 2026 is The Time Traveller’s Feast. A unique dining experience that you can add on to your Kynren visit. Enjoy three courses taking you on a journey through Tudor, Viking and Victorian dishes, with some surprise characters too. You’ll join other guests on banqueting tables for the meal.
The Time Traveller’s Feast is only available on Saturday evenings before the Epic Tale of England show and must be booked in advance as spaces are limited. It is a real treat to add on, at £68pp it’s not cheap but the experience is one that will be remembered.
Anything else I need to know?
There’s food and drink stalls available when you arrive and the prices are reasonable. You can’t take food in to the tribune with you, where the main show takes place, so arrive with plenty time if you’re wanting to get some snacks. If you’re visiting as a day guest, there’s time between the shows to get refreshments and explore.
Tickets for The Storied Lands day park must be booked separately to the Kynren night show (and vice versa) so if you’re wanting to make a whole day out of it, into the evening, take a look at the website for ticket prices and more information.
If you need parking, book this in advance with your tickets. There’s options available if you want to park on site, or you can get a shuttle bus down from parking in Bishop Auckland too.
I can’t wait to see how Kynren continues to develop and offer more fun, interactive shows to The Storied Lands. I hope if you’re heading along this summer, you enjoy the show(s). Make sure you pack a waterproof and some layers, as the evening show does look incredible when the sun has set, but it can get a little chilly.
You can also see what I’ve shared on Instagram and TikTok for some live action of the show!
Have you been to Kynren? If not, it’s well worth a visit!
I was invited along to the press night for Kynren, but all photos, words and thoughts are my own.
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