Durham Spectacular

Head to Durham for the UK’s most spectacular open-air live action night show since the opening of the London 2012 Olympics

This summer, take an exciting journey through British history. ‘Kynren – an epic tale of England’ is a 90-minute evening show – with 14 show dates from 2 July – 17 September – taking place in Bishop Auckland in the Vale of Durham. The open-air stage is equivalent in size to five football pitches, includes a large lake equipped with sophisticated underwater hydraulics, and is set against the majestic backdrop of Auckland Castle.

Combine this thrilling, action-packed spectacle – speeding you through 2,000 years of  history – with a sumptuous stay at five-star boutique hotel Seaham Hall‎, just 40 minutes away, set in a glorious location overlooking the Durham heritage coastline.

Kynren (meaning ‘generation, kindred, family’) is hailed by Rough Guides as one of the world’s top ten new tourist attractions. Over 1,000 professionally trained local volunteers are involved as actors and crew, plus there’s a cast of animals including performance horses, goats and cattle.

Accompanied by an evocative soundtrack, played via high-quality surround sound, you’ll travel from Roman times to World War 2, through Viking invasions to the splendour of the Tudors, the Industrial Revolution and the prosperous 1920s. It will be a remarkable, dazzling display of mass choreography, dance, pyrotechnics, water effects and lighting.

Kynren is organised by Eleven Arches – a charity established by philanthropist Jonathan Ruffer, whose aim is to promote Bishop Auckland – and County Durham – as an international tourist destination. Working in partnership with Puy du Fou, a medieval theme park in Western France, the show has been designed to be akin to watching an epic movie. 

Seaham Hall, a Georgian manor house, offers contemporary and luxurious interior design, blending the old with the new and eclectic. Following a £3M refurbishment programme, including two beautiful brand new suites (soon to be revealed), the hotel features two restaurants (under the direction of the hotel’s acclaimed new Head Chef Ross Stovold), 37 acres of blissful grounds, and an outstanding 44,000 sq ft spa with a stunning indoor swimming pool.

An overnight stay in one of the 22 individually-designed suites costs from £195 for two sharing, including a full English breakfast.

Seaham Hall is featured in Tripadvisor’s 2016 Travellers’ Choice Top 25 Small Hotels in the UK and Top 25 Luxury Hotels in the UK, and additional current accolades include Spa Manager of the Year in the Boutique Hotelier Awards, Editor’s Choice Spa in the Good Hotel Guide, Five Bubble Luxury accreditation by the Good Spa Guide, and Gold in ‘Small Hotel of the Year’ at the North East England Tourism Awards.

For more information, call Seaham Hall’s expert team on 0191 516 1400 or visit www.seaham-hall.co.uk for ideas and inspiration.