The Trusty Steed takes place in the Kynren arena and follows the story of a head-strong young woman who tames and trains a wild horse. There are epic horse stunts which see riders flip upside down at high speed and fast-paced tricks. It’s a seriously impressive display of equestrian talent.
One of the most epic new additions to the landscape is the mighty The Lost Feather, set in a 2,500-seat amphitheatre shaped like a giant bird’s nest. As we enter, we’re breathless at the scale of it, and the stunning waterfall in the centre of the set. A whole variety of birds swoop over our heads throughout this show with an enchanting original score, recorded by the BBC Concert Orchestra, alongside a story highlighting the importance of taking care of our birdlife. The unpredictability of the birds means the eagle skedaddles for a little while and some cheeky owls wants to steal the limelight, but this only adds to the magic of the experience.
The Victorian Imaginariums is all about audience interaction, where Victorian characters greet you in a summery maze and you head to the Professor’s Imaginarium, complete with Birch & Birch (the first shop originally installed in Cornwall’s Flambards Victorian Village). This is a fantastic preview to the full Flambards Victorian Village which is expected to open in 2027.
The Viking Settlement is another new addition where audiences can see craftsmen at work and experience authentic Viking life, before experiencing Land of the Vikings, a new show featuring clashing clans, shields and fire – and a lot of impressive acrobatics. A broken viking boat is split by an open fire and the fight scenes in this performance are particularly exciting.
Last, but certainly not least, is the Legend of the Wear, a retelling of the Lambton Worm myth where water jets from the lake spout into the air as if by magic, characters fall into the water and climb the tower, and a stunning horse also finds its way into this show. We love to see the horses at any opportunity!
You can refuel from the excitement of these shows with the Time Travellers’ Feast, a new immersive dining experience including a Tudor-inspired starter, a Viking main and Victorian sweet treats where characters greet you whilst you eat with mischief and mayhem. We’ve never experienced a dinner quite like it.
All of this is in addition to Kynren’s spectacular night show (for those visiting on Saturdays). It’s a fantastic expansion to an already superb offering in County Durham and we’re sure even more visitors will be flocking to Bishop Auckland this summer to see it. Check out our sneak peek here.
Kynren – The Storied Lands opens on 18th July.
