Kynren 2025 : 5 Reasons to Book (+ Discount Code)

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Kynren is a multi-award winning live action show that showcases 2000 years of English history over 29 stunning scenes. With a passionate cast & crew of over 1000 volunteers & 150 animals set across a 7.5 acre stage, it's a grand scale production like nothing else in the UK.

Now in it's 10th year, Kynren is going from strength to strength and this year you can expect a re-imagined Jubilee scene with over 300 props, 180 new characters, 18 horses, Victorian prams and ice cream truck plus a fantastic replica vintage fire engine. 2025 also pays special tribute to the 200th anniversary of Locomotion No1.

Taking place in a purpose built tribune in Bishop Auckland, the whole evening runs like clock work with plenty of volunteers on hand to keep things running smoothly. I recommend booking a park & ride car parking space and aiming to arrive around 2 hours before the show starts to make the most of your visit.

With my discount code, a family of 4 can enjoy the Viking Village Walk-through Experience, the main Kynren Performance and a Spectacular Fireworks Finale from just £64.

Discount Code

Kynren discount codes for North East Family Fun readers. Discounts cannot be applied to existing bookings:

NEFF1STSHOW: £10 off opening night on 19/7/2025 (excludes VIP seating)

NEFF2025: 15% off all other shows (excludes VIP & 19/7/2025 show) Book here: https://kynren.com/

Kynren 2025 : 5 Reasons to Book

1 - The Viking Village

The only way you can visit the Viking Village in 2025 is with a Kynren ticket. Entry is included before the main Kynren show so do make sure you leave plenty of time to visit. You'll find the Viking Village just past the toilets at the end of the main tribune - ask a volunteer if you're not sure where to find it.

The Viking Village is a self-guided walk through experience that's super immersive. Take in the sights, smells and sounds of Viking times, chat with real Vikings about their life experiences and discover more about authentic Viking life.

Listen out for the Viking Horn - if you hear it, head to the entrance where the Vikings will gather and practice their battle skills, you may even be able to join in.

There are traditional Viking crafts on display, animals including Icelandic chickens (the mother & daughter donkeys are also so sweet), Viking medicine, Viking cottages, Viking fishing demonstrations, wood carvers, traditional Viking cooking over fire, sword training areas and a Blacksmith's forge. It's fantastic and the attention to detail is just brilliant.

You can watch a walk through video of the Viking Village here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DLwVR4UNUp1/

2 - The Horsemanship

Kynren features 39 absolutely stunning horese ranging from Lusitanos (elegant riding horses from Portugal and Spain) to Kladrubers (historic carriage horses from Czech - they are one of the oldest breeds in the world). Also keep your eyes peeled for Cosmo, a rare Grey Shire Horse and one of only 200 in the world.

The horses play a huge part in Kynren and perfectly demonstrate their grace and power.

Watch as Queen Boudicca gallops on horseback leading her people against Roman invaders, cheer as Knights joust on horseback as part of a display for the Prince Bishop of Durham and be thrilled as the horses take part in some very exciting stunts.

The riding team is a powerhouse of females with the most incredible skills. Whenever the horses are on stage, they truly steal the show. Just magnificent.

Just to let you know, the horses at Kynren are incredible well cared for with stables and large pastures. They are well groomed, cared for and fed by a dedicated team and Kynren is fully licensed to feature animals in its shows, adhering to strict guidelines to ensure their welfare and comfort. Their Exhibition of Animals license number is: DCC/ALA/079004.

3 - Spectacular Light & Water Shows with a Grand Fireworks Finale

The special effects and technical displays at Kynren are just incredible. They're on such a grand scale and it fantastic to watch. Expect water fountains dancing to music, water and light coming together to create living art, the stage transformed into different eras through very clever lighting and of course, the most spectacular fireworks.

It's a display of expertise that really makes you feel proud of what the North East can produce.

4 - It's a History Lesson

Don't you just love it when something is thoroughly entertaining yet educational too? That's exactly what you get with Kynren. The audience is transported back in time along with young Arthur and accompanies on his quest to discover his history.

No stone is left unturned as we travel through the era of the Vikings and Anglo-Saxons, we meet past Kings and Queens and are invited to attend Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. There are scenes with Romans and Medieval Knights but we also get to experience more modern history including the World Wars, World Cup Win & Industrial Revolution.

The performance is fully immersive with props, music, lighting and special effects all fully transforming the tribune and transporting us to different time periods.

5 - A Brilliant Value Night Out for All Ages

My youngest son was just 5 years old when we first watched Kynren (he's 14 now) and it's a production we have thoroughly enjoyed over the years. My kids are all teenagers now and are still just as enthusiastic about visiting.

This year, I brought Dee (aged 16) and her friend along. It was her friend's first visit and she was blown away. If you have hard to please teens and are looking for an experience to book and enjoy with them this summer, Kynren is just the ticket.

Equally, we have visited with both sets of grandparents over the years and they absolutely loved it too and have booked independently to visit again with their own friends on another occasion.

Even babies seem to enjoy the spectacle. There was a little one behind us during our last visit and they were ooh-ing and ahh-ing at the lights and animals the whole way through (under 3s go free - make sure you include them in your booking).

Kynren 2025 is such good value with a ticket for a family of 4 available from just £64 with my discount code. This includes entry to the Viking Village, the main 90 Minute Kynren Show & Spectacular Fireworks Finale.

Kynren is accessible too and wheelchair spaces are available - lots of detailed info is available on the Kynren website.

You can watch a video with our Kynren highlights here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DLy8JVlN7GE/

Discount Code & Booking Link

Kynren discount codes for North East Family Fun readers. Discounts cannot be applied to existing bookings:

NEFF1STSHOW: £10 off opening night on 19/7/2025 (excludes VIP seating)

NEFF2025: 15% off all other shows (excludes VIP & 19/7/2025 show) Book here: https://kynren.com/

A Few Tips:

I've attended Kynren lots of times and I'm happy to share a few tips:

Don't worry about the weather. Honestly if it rains, it just adds to the drama and you don't even notice it. Just wear waterproofs or a waterproof poncho and you'll be fine
All of the seats offer a good view as the whole length of the stage is used. If you're in the centre, it's quite nice being close to the stage but if you're more towards the sides, I like being higher up as you get to see more of an overview. Seating is tiered and usually children can see without any issue
Bring a cushion as the show is 90 minutes long with no interval (you can leave to go to the loo etc...if you need to)
Aim to arrive around 2 hours before the show starts. There's a gift shop, food and drinks outlets with lots of seating, loads of clean toilets, a replica Locomotion No1 to pose in front of and of course, the Viking Village walk through experience which you don't want to miss
We usually book a car park and shuttle ticket if visiting with gransparents / small children which is really well organised and ideal to save little legs later in the evening after the show. If you don't book this, it's a walk up a hill and across the bridge into Bishop Auckland. We didn't book car parking for the first time last year and found the walk with teens wasn't too bad at all / as expected.
No food and drink can be brought into the venue (with the exception of baby food and those required for medical reasons). You can bring an empty water bottle (not aliminium) and refill it once inside for free at a water outlet. Bag searches are in operation, please see here for a full list of restricted items: https://silver-salamander-647384.hostingersite.com/security-and-restricted-items/
I recommend spending the day in Bishop Auckland or Durham before the show. There are lots of fabulous attractions to enjoy including Auckland Palace, Raby Castle and Beamish. On two occasions, we have stayed at nearby Park Head Hotel when we couldn't face the drive home and it's lovely with family rooms available. I would also highly recommend nearby Unbox Lodges at Poplar Tree Garden Centre, they're stunning!
Sometimes we dine at home early before setting off, sometimes we dine in Bishop Auckland before the show (I recommend the restaurant at the Park Head Hotel and El Castillo Tapas) and other times we grab something to eat from the food outlets at Kynren. There are hot dogs, chips, crips, burgers, nachos, sweets and snacks and prices aren't too bad (card/contactless only). Service is really quick too. You can take any drinks and snacks you purchase into the main tribune with the exception of hot food. I'd just say go with whichever option works for your family and budget.
The sun usually starts to set around half way through the show and it can get chilly so make sure you bring a good coat and maybe a blanket for little ones. I'd recommend proper shoes rather than open toed sandals.
It can get loud at some points so if you / your children would benefit, ear defenders are handy to bring along.