Kynren Lands Hat Trick Of International Excellence Awards Nominations

Bishop Auckland attraction goes head-to-head with some of Europe’s leading theme parks after landmark first season for The Storied Lands


Kynren has secured three nominations in one of the attractions industry's leading awards, just weeks after opening the gates to its new live-action show park in Bishop Auckland.

The County Durham attraction has been shortlisted for Best Regional Park, Best Live Entertainment and Best Marketing at the 2026 Park World Excellence Awards.

It puts Kynren in competition with established attractions from across Europe and further afield, including Puy du Fou España, Walibi Belgium, Bellewaerde and Qatar's Doha Quest.

The nominations follow the opening this summer of Kynren – The Storied Lands, the UK's first live action show park and the biggest development at the Bishop Auckland site since Kynren – An Epic Tale of England was first performed a decade ago.

Kynren itself is among eight finalists for Best Regional Park, alongside attractions from Belgium, France, Spain and Qatar.

The Lost Feather, which brings hundreds of birds into free flight above and around a 2,500-seat arena, has been shortlisted for Best Live Entertainment.

It faces competition from shows at some of Europe's best-known attractions, including Parc Astérix in France and Parque Warner Madrid.

A third nomination, for Best Marketing, recognises the campaign behind Kynren – The Storied Lands during a year which has seen the attraction enter an entirely new chapter.

"Opening The Storied Lands was always going to make 2026 a very special year for Kynren, but to receive three nominations in our first season is something everyone involved can be extremely proud of,” said Chief Executive Anna Warnecke.

“What is particularly pleasing is the breadth of the recognition. We have been shortlisted for the park itself, for one of our new live shows and for the work which has gone into telling people about this new dimension to the Kynren experience.

“Behind each of those nominations are an enormous number of people who have worked incredibly hard to bring The Storied Lands to life.

“We set out to create something genuinely different here in the North East and it means a great deal to see that work recognised alongside some of the leading names in the international attractions industry,” she added.

The Lost Feather is one of the centrepieces of The Storied Lands and takes place in a giant, purpose-built nest-shaped arena where the audience becomes surrounded by the action.

The experience is built around natural behaviours, with birds flying freely above, across and around the arena, emerging from the surrounding landscape and passing close above spectators.

It is one of five live shows and experiences making up The Storied Lands, which brings history, myth and legend to life through equestrian action, stunt performances, birds, water effects and immersive storytelling.

The daytime attraction opened on 18th July alongside the established Kynren night show, which celebrated its 100th performance this summer.

Established in 2018, the Park World Excellence Awards recognise the leading attractions, experiences, projects, products and people across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Entries are assessed against individual category criteria by an industry judging panel before finalists and winners are selected.

The winners will be announced at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London on Wednesday, 23rd September.