The cast and crew of the outdoor historic spectacular Kynren received a shot-in-the-arm on the eve of this weekend’s seasonal opening show.

Kynren - An Epic Tale of England has been recognised in Tripadvisor’s® Travelers’ Choice® Awards for 2024.

The 1,000-strong volunteer cast and crew welcomed news of the accolade following a successful preview night ahead of this year’s summer season of shows, starting tonight (Saturday, July 27).

It is the first of eight weekly 90-minute live-action shows set against the backdrop of Auckland Castle, in Bishop Auckland.

(Image: Kynren)

The award honours businesses that consistently earn great reviews, placing them among the top ten per cent of listings around the world on Tripadvisor. 

Anna Warnecke, CEO of Kynren, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to our Kynren visitors and everyone who has reviewed our spectacular show on Tripadvisor.

“Sharing your experience is such a valuable tool that we can use to ensure our guests always have the best experience, as well as highlighting to other visitors what to expect.

“Of course, we also would like to thank our wonderful volunteers who have made earning this award possible.

“It reflects their hard work, dedication and tremendous skill.

“We’re so incredibly proud of them and it is a fantastic achievement to be included among travellers' favourites again this year,” she added.

Set on a seven-and-a-half-acre outdoor stage, the experience starts at sunset and ends in starlight and will take place each Saturday night through September 14.

(Image: Kynren)

Kynren’s recent preview night brought the multi-award-winning live-action outdoor theatre spectacular to the stage for the first time this year in front of a live audience.

It culminated with a roaring applause and a firework finale and was universally considered a tremendous success.

This year’s Kynren also includes a new pre-show entertainment, Return of the Vikings.

Featuring an authentic recreation of a Viking village on the brink of a raid, audiences experience a working blacksmith’s forge where chainmail is created by hand and sparks fly in the process.

It also offers a peek inside the 9th Century cottages and cookhouse, a wander through a Viking vegetable patch and meet livestock which would have traditionally been kept and farmed by the Norse invaders.

John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor, said: “Congratulations to Kynren on its recognition in Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards for 2024.

“Travelers’ Choice honours businesses that consistently demonstrate a commitment to hospitality excellence.

“This means you have made such a memorable impact on your visitors that many of them took the time to go online and leave a great review about their experience.

“People rely on Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice seal to help them navigate the myriad of things to see, eat and do across the globe.

“We hope this recognition continues to drive business to you in 2024 and beyond.” 

(Image: The Northern Echo)

From Boudicca’s battles with the Romans to two world wars, as well as Vikings, Tudors, Stuarts, Queen Victoria and the Industrial Revolution, Kynren is a real whistlestop tour of 2,000 years of history myth and legend.

It is widely acknowledged as a spellbinding, family-friendly experience delivering thrills, shocks, tears, laughs, goosebumps and gasps on a truly cinematic scale.

The 8,000-seater tribune provides panoramic views across the outdoor stage. 

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Tickets cost from £26 for adults and from £16 for under 18s.

Children aged three and under are admitted free when sat on an adult’s knee.   

Further information is available on www.kynren.com, on which tickets can also be booked.