The new Kynren: the Storied Lands show in Bishop Auckland features birds of prey, Viking raids, and mythical beasts, opening next week as part of a daytime theme park experience. The show includes nearly 250 birds, including hawks, kites, pelicans, and owls, soaring over a pagan-style wooden circle, with actors narrating humanity's relationship with nature.
From Mining Town to Cultural Hub
Bishop Auckland, once a coal-mining and railway town 12 miles south of Durham, has undergone a dramatic transformation. In 2012, investment banker Jonathan Ruffer rescued Francisco de Zurbarán's series Jacob and His Twelve Sons from auction, leading to the purchase of Auckland Palace. He and his wife Jane set up a charity to open the palace and gardens to the public, sparking a complete renovation of the town.
According to Harry Sinclair, public relations officer at the Auckland Project, the charity employs 201 staff, with about 80% from a 10-mile radius. “We’re very much leading the circular economy. It’s about regenerating the town through its culture and heritage,” he said.
Art Galleries and Viewing Tower
The Auckland Project now includes two art galleries: one dedicated to mining art from County Durham, and another to the golden age of Spanish art, featuring works by El Greco and Velázquez. A striking viewing tower dominates the town centre, resembling the skeleton of a cathedral. A 59-bedroom hotel is under construction on the market place, expected to increase footfall to 1.5 million visitors annually from 2029 and create up to 95 jobs.
Kynren: The Storied Lands
Since 2016, the Ruffers have hosted Kynren, a night show telling 2,000 years of English history to audiences of up to 8,000, with over 1,000 local volunteers. The new daytime Kynren: the Storied Lands opens from 18 July to 12 September, featuring six live shows. The Lost Feather show includes birds of prey, with handlers in medieval tunics. Anna Warnecke, CEO of Kynren, noted, “That’s the beauty of live performance. There’s an electric sense of adrenaline that you don’t get from watching the same thing on a screen.”
Other shows include The Legend of the Wear, a re-telling of the Lambton Worm myth with water stunts, and Land of the Vikings, where visitors walk through a working village with actors, featuring fire and Viking roars. The original Kynren night show continues on Fridays and Saturdays from July to September.
Visitor Experience and Impact
Bishop Auckland also offers Auckland Palace (£20, children under 4 free), open Wednesday to Sunday and bank holiday Mondays, along with a Roman fort, deer park, and heritage railway. The trip was provided by Visit County Durham. Kynren: the Storied Lands day show tickets are £30 for adults and £20 for children.
