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An attraction in Bishop Auckland has been shortlisted for three international awards just weeks after launching its latest venture.

Kynren – The Storied Lands, County Durham‘s new live-action show park, is a finalist at the 2026 Park World Excellence Awards, competing against leading attractions from across Europe and beyond.

It has been nominated for Best Regional Park, Best Live Entertainment, and Best Marketing, standing alongside attractions such as Puy du Fou España, Walibi Belgium, Bellewaerde, and Doha Quest.

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The status places the collections among a select group of museum, library and archive collections recognised as being of outstanding importance outside of England’s national museums. 

There are currently just over 160 designated collections in England – and Durham University now holds five of these.  

They are the Chinese, Egyptian and Japanese collections at the Oriental Museum, alongside Cosin’s Library and the Sudan Archive, both held within Palace Green Library. 

The newly recognised Japanese collections have grown significantly in recent years and are now one of the Oriental Museum’s fastest expanding collections.  

Items span centuries of Japanese history and culture, from the Muromachi period through to contemporary works. 

Highlights include swords and armour, intricately embroidered silk kimono, ceramics, woodblock prints and traditional folk toys.  

The collections also reflect modern Japan through contemporary ceramics, manga, street fashion and digital art. 

Rachel Barclay, Senior Curator at the Oriental Museum, said: “Being awarded Designated status is a wonderful recognition of the work that has gone into developing our Japanese collections over many years.  

“What began as a relatively small collection has grown into one of the museum’s greatest strengths, supporting teaching, research and public engagement while helping us build partnerships across Japan and East Asia. 

We are delighted to see their national and international significance recognised, and we look forward to sharing these remarkable collections with even more visitors through future exhibitions, research and public programmes.” 

Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England said: “This collection tells the rich and complex story of Japanese art, culture and history across four centuries and the historic links between Japan and the North East of England.

“Covering everything from 16th century porcelain to modern day street fashion and anime, there’s something here for everybody. I would like to congratulate the team for their award.”

Over the past decade, the University’s Japanese collections have more than doubled in size through major donations and acquisitions.  

Significant additions in recent years include the Hyatt King Collection of Japanese ceramics, donated by David and Anne Hyatt King, and a major gift of almost 600 woodblock prints and postcards from Durham University alumnus John P Scott. 

The museum also holds a nationally significant collection of traditional Japanese folk toys collected by Jane Irissa. 

The collections play a central role in Durham University’s long-standing partnership with the National Museum of Japanese History in Japan, helping to strengthen international research, cultural exchange and diplomatic links. 

They represent years of work by University staff to broaden the scope of the collections through building positive relationships with museums, universities and cultural organisations in Japan. 

Shuji Maeda, Minister at the Japanese Embassy in London said: “Having visited Durham University twice over the past year since my arrival at the Embassy, I feel this recognition is very well deserved. This collection brings authentic Japanese culture to people across the UK, including younger generations.

“The fact that such a rich Japanese collection is accessible to those who live beyond London is particularly significant and symbolises that strong historical ties are felt across the country. I pay tribute to Rachel and her colleagues, as well as Professor Yoshi Miki, for their dedication.” 

The award of Designated Status comes ahead of a major new exhibition at the Oriental Museum, ‘Breaking the Mould: Japanese Ceramics from the Hyatt King Collection’, which opens on 2 October 2026.  

It will showcase highlights from the collection of more than 2,000 ceramics donated by the eminent collectors David and Anne Hyatt King. 

It features the work of 20th century masters including Suwa Sozan, Fukami Sueharu and Tsukamoto Kaiji, whose creativity helped redefine Japanese ceramics in the modern era.  

Displays also explore the achievements of the renowned Seifu family workshop of Kyoto and the technical brilliance of Hirado porcelain. 

Invited guests, supporters, partners, donors and community representatives gathered at Durham Cathedral on Friday 4 September to celebrate the completion of the Centre and recognise the many people whose generosity, expertise and commitment helped bring the vision to life.

The Cuthbert Centre for Pilgrimage and Prayer will provide a welcoming and accessible space for individuals and groups arriving in Durham as pilgrims. Centred on the Chapel of the Holy Cross, the Centre will strengthen Durham Cathedral’s role as a gateway to Christian pilgrimage. It will also create opportunities for people from all backgrounds to engage with the Christian faith through activities that inspire, resource and equip communities across the North East and beyond.

The celebration included a tour of the newly renovated Chapel of the Holy Cross and its accompanying facilities, including a kitchen and communal space designed to offer hospitality and refreshment to pilgrims and visitors. Access to the Chapel and Centre is for the first time step-free, making it an accessible space for all visitors.

The event also included speeches about future aspirations for the Cuthbert Centre for Pilgrimage and Prayer from The Very Revd Dr Philip Plyming, Dean of Durham. Longstanding guide and Cathedral volunteer Lilian Groves MBE marked the completion of the Centre by unveiling a commemorative plaque, while the Bishop of Durham, the Rt Revd Rick Simpson, offered prayers for God’s blessing for the Centre and its future ministry.

The event concluded before guests made their way to Durham Cathedral for Festal Evensong and a procession marking the Anniversary of the Translation of the Relics of St Cuthbert.

The Very Revd Dr Philip Plyming, Dean of Durham, said:

“The completion of the Cuthbert Centre for Pilgrimage and Prayer is a moment of great joy and an opportunity to give thanks to God. This project has been many years in the making, and it was wonderful to welcome so many of the people whose generosity, commitment and support have helped turn a shared vision into reality. I am especially thankful for the financial support of the Friends of Durham Cathedral and the Ardeola Charitable Trust whose generosity has made this project possible.

“At its heart, this is not simply about a building. It is about creating a lasting legacy that will help people encounter the richness of pilgrimage and prayer, deepen their faith, and find space for reflection and renewal.

“Durham Cathedral has welcomed pilgrims for centuries. The completion of the Centre begins an exciting new chapter in that continuing story, and we look forward to welcoming future pilgrims and visitors.”

The development of the Centre was made possible through the generous support of the Friends of Durham Cathedral and the Ardeola Charitable Trust. The completion of the building represents a major project milestone, with preparations continuing ahead of the Centre’s full programme launching in Spring 2027.

Caroline Peacock, Chair, Friends of Durham Cathedral said,

“The Friends of Durham Cathedral, a community of more than 3,000 members around the world, are delighted, deeply honoured – and indeed moved – to be the principal funders of the Cuthbert Centre for Pilgrimage and Prayer. It is a privilege to help bring this vision to fruition and to support a Centre that will encourage pilgrimage, prayer and hospitality for future generations.”

Members of the public are invited to attend a special open day at the Cuthbert Centre for Pilgrimage and Prayer on Saturday 26 September. Visitors will be able to explore the new spaces and discover opportunities to get involved in the Centre’s future programme, including pilgrimages, retreat days and volunteering opportunities.

Over the coming months, Durham Cathedral will build on the success of its summer pilot pilgrimage programme, using feedback from participants to help shape the activities and opportunities that the Centre will offer.

The Revd James Shelton, Director of the Cuthbert Centre for Pilgrimage and Prayer, said:

“The completion of the new Cuthbert Centre facilities is a wonderful step along the way towards delivering our first full programme of pilgrimage and prayer activities, to be announced in the new year. The renovated Chapel of the Holy Cross and accompanying new spaces really are remarkable to inhabit and I am so grateful to the many people and organisations who have helped to make this possible.

“The new ministry that will be based from the Centre has so much exciting potential to bring people from all backgrounds together in a shared exploration of pilgrimage, prayer and Christian faith. I pray that its long-term impact will reach far beyond the building itself, benefiting communities across the region and strengthening Durham’s place within the wider pilgrimage landscape.

“I am excited to see the Centre begin fulfilling its potential as a place of welcome, learning, reflection and community, starting with our Open Day on Saturday 26 September. We look forward to welcoming all those who are curious to come and find out more!”

People can begin their pilgrimage journey by taking part in Durham Cathedral’s existing programme of worship, prayer and pilgrimage activities. Further opportunities to explore the Cuthbert Centre for Pilgrimage and Prayer, including the public open day on Saturday 26 September, can be found here. 

As preparations continue towards Spring 2027, the Centre will help ensure that pilgrimage and prayer remain accessible, relevant and inspiring, creating a lasting legacy for Durham Cathedral, its communities and future generations of pilgrims.

An unforgettable programme of activities was held across Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August to celebrate the launch of the Durham County Council venue, which serves as the region’s latest destination for culture, creativity and community.

Officially opened by the council’s Chairman, Cllr Robbie Roddiss, the building’s celebrations brought live performances, including music from Pittington Brass Band, acrobatics by Cequin Circus, and live sets from some of the North East’s talented singer-songwriters.

Children and their families also got to explore new sights and experiences with science inspired lawn games.

Inside The Light, visitors made their mark on the venue by contributing to a collaborative illuminated sculpture inspired by moths drawn to light.

They were also invited to experiment with fluorescent materials within a glowing creative playground, where their drawings and messages will become part of an ever-changing light installation.

And guests got to see the venue’s inaugural exhibitions for the very first time – We Are The Durhams: The Durham Light Infantry Exhibition and Victory Over the Sun: Encounters with Light.

Cllr Robbie Rodiss, Chairman of Durham County Council, said: “This has been a long-anticipated day for Durham City and I’m pleased to say that the opening celebrations for The Light have been a huge success.

“The Light is a venue that not only honours the building’s past, but showcases its future as a centre for art, innovation, and history. This has been a significant investment into Durham’s cultural offering, and we are delighted to have already received an incredibly positive response from visitors.

“We can’t wait to welcome more people into The Light and inspire them through an amazing programme that is planned for the rest of the year and beyond.”

Victory Over the Sun: Encounters with Light brings together groundbreaking works by artists who use light in extraordinary ways, including Tracey Emin, Dan Flavin, Olafur Eliasson, and Chila Burman. Running until Sunday 17 January, it explores light as both subject and material, sparking questions of perception, nature and the cosmos.

Visitors to The Light will also have the chance to discover more about the DLI at a fascinating new permanent exhibition. Featuring images, sounds, hands-on activities and rich sensory experiences, We Are The Durhams builds upon the venue’s military heritage to tell a deeply human story of identity, belonging and community.

The opening weekend celebrations will continue into the final weeks of the summer holidays with a packed programme of artist-led workshops and creative activities inspired by light, colour, perception, and imagination.

Details of The Light’s autumn/winter programme will be announced soon.

For more information visit www.thelightdurham.org.uk To stay up to date with the latest news and events, follow @thelightdurham on Facebook and Instagram.

The Food, Drink and Music Festival will take over Banks Homes Riverside, Chester-le-Street, on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September, with organisers Durham Cricket promising the best yet.

Ythan Sale, Events Manager at Durham Cricket, said: “It’s difficult to believe Chester-le-EATS is five years old. What started as an idea to bring great food, drink, music and people together at Durham Cricket has grown beyond anything we could have imagined, and the support from traders, performers and thousands of visitors over those five years has been incredible.

“For our fifth birthday, we didn’t simply want to do the same festival again. We wanted to celebrate how far we’ve come while making this our biggest year yet with the most traders, new experiences, a fantastic entertainment programme and for the first time, our Masterclasses.”

Running from 11am until 5pm on both days, entry is completely FREE for adults and children, making it an affordable day out for families looking for something to do together.

Visitors will be able to explore Chester-le-EATS’ biggest trader line-up to date, with street food from around the world, independent food and drink producers, sweet treats, artisan stalls and gifts filling the home of Durham Cricket across the weekend.

Those arriving hungry will have plenty to choose from, with hot food traders including Chicken Ting, Flankman Tacos, Geordie Banger Co, Grandpa’s Fish Bar, Redheads Mac ‘N’ Cheese, Spud Gun Loaded Fries and Burgers, The Big Banh and The Loaded Dawg. 

There will be plenty for those with a sweet tooth too, with the likes of The Dessert Hub, The Hedgehog Bakery, The Little Poffertje Pancake Shack, Le Mini Macaron and The Sunrise Patisserie, alongside coffee from Bass Notes Coffee. 

Visitors looking to take something home can browse a selection of artisan food, drink and gift producers, including Great British Cheese Company, Sawley Kitchen, Clarence Spirits, Prohibition Distillery, WL Distillery, Fat Rabbit Crafts and Pevs Prints.

For those wanting to add something extra to their visit, the fifth anniversary festival will also introduce three new bookable food and drink Masterclasses.

The optional £35 sessions include Flight!, a beer and chicken wing experience with Hen & Hops; Uncorked!, a wine tasting experience with Durham’s Crush Wine Bar owner and expert sommelier, Daniel Jonberger; and Distilled, a gin, cheese and charcuterie experience hosted by the Ginologists from Tin of Sardines.

The Masterclasses are an additional paid experience and tickets must be purchased for these. However, no advance booking is required to attend the main Chester-le-EATS festival.

The festival has been designed as a full family day out, with plenty of children’s activities and a dedicated Family Zone joining the food, drink and entertainment across the weekend.

There will also be a packed programme of live music and performances, delivered in partnership with Proper Mint Concerts, with entertainment running throughout both Saturday and Sunday.

The popular Rock Choir will return to the festival on Saturday, performing twice during the day, while musicians, theatre and dance performers will take to the stage across the weekend.

Saturday 26 September

11.30am – Luke Palmer
12.30pm – Rock Choir & Live Theatre
1pm – To Hell or Verona
2pm – Rock Choir
2.30pm – Matty Fenny
3.30pm – Patrick Kelly

Sunday 27 September

11.30am – Annis Rallis
12.30pm – Live Theatre
1pm – Liv & Jon
2.15pm – Jamie Lee Harrison
3pm – Channy Dance Academy

Chester-le-EATS was created to showcase brilliant food, drink and entertainment while bringing people together at Durham Cricket’s Banks Homes Riverside ground. 

It takes place at Banks Homes Riverside, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, DH3 3QR, from 11am to 5pm on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September 2026. Entry is FREE for everyone.

The latest festival information, full trader line-up, and to book tickets for the Masterclasses.