Escomb Saxon Church
Escomb is situated two miles west of Bishop Auckland in the Wear Valley. The church was built around 675 AD with stone probably from the Roman Fort at Binchester. It was originally thought that the church was an offshoot of one of the local monasteries eg Whitby or Hartlepool but this is only one of several possibilities as there are no known written records until 990 AD. The church is one of five parishes grouped with Etherley, Hamsterley, Witton Park and Witton-le-Wear .
To find out more visit https://escombsaxonchurch.co.uk/
Kynren – An Epic Tale of England
An experience unique to the UK and never available before 2016. Bringing 2000 years of history, myth and legend to life in a spectacular family entertainment for all ages! As dusk falls, you take your seat in anticipation in front of a vast stage. The lake is still. You are immersed in the music. You are watching King Harold rejoicing, having conquered the Vikings, but his celebrations are short-lived. The tranquil waters of the lake begin to ripple, its surface begins to swirl. Suddenly a Norman longship erupts from its depths, bearing a fierce William of Normandy and his roaring men who leap ashore, swords held high. This is just one of Kynren’s 29 scenes which takes you on an action-packed and emotional journey through time. Encompassing the Roman occupation, the Viking and Norman invasions, medieval feasts and jousting, the splendour of the Tudors, the English Civil War, the Georgian Renaissance, Industrial Revolution and two world wars right up to the current period and many other scenes in between – Kynren takes you on a spellbinding voyage through history, myth and legend, as seen through the eyes of Arthur, the son of a mining family from the North East of England.
Brought to you by a 1,000-strong cast and crew who have been professionally trained by international performance experts in dance, theatrical combat, pyrotechnics, and equestrianism. The huge cast is joined on stage by the animals of Kynren, collectively bringing each scene to life amidst jaw-dropping special effects and an original sound track by the award-winning composer Nathan Stornetta.
2019 will be Year of the Viking! – with a brand new pre show guest experience, that will complement the Viking Blacksmiths, and Georgian Animal Croft which were created new for 2018. Guests will be able to wander through a Viking Village and experience, the sights, sounds and smells of everyday Viking life.
To find our more and book your tickets visit https://www.kynren.com/
Durham
An Unmissable Year in Durham
2019 is set to be an unmissable year, with a packed programme of festivals, events and openings making Durham an exciting short break destination.
The UK’s largest light festival, Lumiere Durham, will return in November for its 10th anniversary edition as the streets of Durham City are transformed in to a nocturnal art trail once again, whilst summer will see the county play host to the ICC Cricket World Cup, including England’s final group game against New Zealand.
Some of the county’s most iconic attractions also have exciting new experiences for visitors in 2019. Auckland Castle, the 900-year-old former home of the Prince Bishops of Durham and one of the best preserved medieval bishops’ palaces in Europe will once again welcome visitors, whilst Durham Cathedral Tower will reopen following conservation works to preserve it for future generations. And at Beamish Museum the £18million Remaking Beamish scheme continues, creating a range of new ways for people to experience the heritage of the North East.
Whether it’s a food festival getting your taste buds tingling, music or dance getting your toes tapping, drama putting you on the edge of your seat, an exhibition that opens your eyes, a heritage event bringing the past to life or a festival that lets you get back to nature – you’re certain to have an eventful time on a short break in Durham.
For details of everything happening in Durham visit https://www.thisisdurham.com/
Beamish – The Living Museum of the North
Experience a real sense of your past at Beamish, and discover what life was like in North East England in the 1820s,1910s and 1940s.
Beamish is a living, working museum, set in 300 acres of beautiful Durham countryside. Costumed folk bring to life the Town, Pit Village, Home Farm and Pockerley Old Hall.
Experience firsthand how the Industrial Revolution transformed agricultural life in the region. The buildings you see at Beamish are not replicas, but have been brought, brick by brick, from around the region and rebuilt to give visitors a real sense of history.
Throughout the year Beamish hosts an exciting programme of events, The Great North Festival of Transport, a Georgian Fair, The Great North Festival of Agriculture and much more besides, including a whole season of Christmas!
To find our more and book your tickets visit http://www.beamish.org.uk
