Kynren, a historical visitor attraction in County Durham, England, has contributed £65.5 million to the North East economy since it opened in 2016, according to a new report.
Kynren – An Epic Tale of England is a live-action nighttime show. Performed on a 7.5-acre stage, it takes audiences through 2,000 years of British history, myth and legend.
Since launching in Bishop Auckland in 2016, Kynren has welcomed more than 430,000 visitors and added £65.5m to the local economy, the report has found.
Anna Warnecke, CEO of Kynren, said: “We have always known that Kynren was changing lives – not just through the show, but through everything it represents: community, skills, opportunity, and pride.
“This report confirms the scale of the impact. It’s a moment of reflection and celebration and we’re only just getting started. The next decade is set to be even more ambitious.”
The report also looks ahead to Kynren’s expansion with the UK‘s first historical theme park, Kynren – The Storied Lands, opening in summer 2026.
Kynren expansion to open in 2026
The Storied Lands is a new daytime attraction within Kynren offering five major shows, including an aquatic attraction on a giant lake that retells the Lambton Worm legend, and a walk-through experience set in Victorian England.
With the new theme park, Kynren expects to attract 3.3 million new visitors over the next five years, according to the report.
It could also contribute £196.5m to the regional economy by 2030, and create 814 new direct and indirect jobs.
Jonathan Ruffer, founder of Kynren the charity, said: “Kynren has already proved it can be a catalyst for change.
“With The Storied Lands development, we’re investing in something truly world-class – a destination that will bring global attention, economic growth and unforgettable experiences to the North East.”
The first phase of the plans for The Storied Lands were approved in April.
Images courtesy of Kynren
