Kynren - The Storied Lands

Proud of our Past, Excited by our Future

Over the past ten years, I've watched Kynren grow from an audacious idea into one of the North East's greatest success stories. This year, as it celebrates its first decade, it has done something few attractions would dare attempt – it has reinvented itself without losing sight of what made people fall in love with it in the first place.

The Storied Lands is, quite simply, one of the most ambitious visitor attractions I have seen brought to life. Five entirely new themed lands, each with its own arena, atmosphere and live performances, have transformed a visit into a full day of discovery. The sheer scale of the design and construction is staggering. Everywhere you turn there are beautifully crafted details, immersive settings and spaces that feel completely different from one another, yet all unmistakably share that unique Kynren spirit of storytelling, spectacle and heart.

A day ticket allows visitors to wander freely between the lands, exploring at their own pace before the evening's main event. It never feels rushed. Instead, there's a genuine sense of adventure, of stumbling across another story waiting to unfold.

Each land has its own distinct personality. Viking Village plunges you into the rugged world of Norse settlers, where history feels close enough to touch and every encounter adds another layer to the experience. The Legend of the Wear celebrates the myths and folklore of the North East, weaving local legends into a magical, atmospheric performance that reminds us how rich our own stories really are.

The Victorian Imaginarium offers something completely different. Bursting with eccentric characters, ingenious illusions and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, it delivers a welcome dose of humour while never losing its sense of wonder.

Perhaps my favourite was The Lost Feather. Beautifully staged and visually stunning, it creates a dreamlike world where magnificent birds and performance blend together in a way that is both moving and utterly captivating. Macaws, vultures and a phenomenal sea eagle are but a few of the birds who grace us with their presence, all expertly supported by a team of brilliant handlers.

Then there is The Trusty Steed, performed within the familiar surroundings of Kynren's main tribune. It feels like the perfect bridge between the new daytime experience and the spectacular evening show that follows, with superb horsemanship, engaging storytelling and the same attention to detail that has become Kynren's trademark. Watching it in the arena that has hosted Kynren for the past decade only reinforces how seamlessly the old and the new now sit alongside one another.

What struck me throughout was how immersive everything felt. These aren't simply demonstrations or displays; they're complete theatrical experiences that invite you into their worlds. Whether through spectacular stunt work, inventive storytelling or moments of quiet beauty, every performance offers something memorable.

We also experienced the Time Travellers' Feast, and it deserves a special mention. The themed three-course meal is accompanied by entertainment from beginning to end, turning dinner into another chapter of the day's adventure. Rather than simply grabbing something to eat between shows, it becomes an event in itself, and one that elevates an already exceptional visit into something that genuinely feels like a celebration.

As darkness falls, Kynren itself still delivers the emotional, unforgettable finale audiences have come to love. But what The Storied Lands achieves is something far greater than adding a few extra attractions. It transforms Kynren from an incredible evening show into a destination worthy of an entire day.

Whilst producing such an experience is undoubtedly the result of many hundreds of hours of planning and rehearsals, there is, of course, another challenge that comes with creating an attraction on this scale. Unlike the evening performance of Kynren, The Storied Lands will welcome visitors from Tuesday to Sunday throughout the season, and in the North East that inevitably means learning to embrace whatever the weather decides to throw at you. It's something the team readily acknowledge.

There is a refreshing honesty about the fact that this first season won't simply be about presenting a new attraction, but about listening, learning and adapting.

As impressive as everything already is, there is a sense that The Storied Lands will continue to evolve, shaped by both experience and visitor feedback. In many ways, that's exactly what Kynren has done over the past decade, and it's one of the reasons it continues to grow stronger year after year – everyone involved can rightfully feel very proud of their past, and very, very excited about their future.