ONE of the country’s most luxurious spas, based at a leading North-East hotel, is opening its doors for the first time this weekend (Saturday, August 15).

The Spa at Ramside Hall Hotel, near Durham will welcome its first customers on Saturday – the final phase of a £16m investment that also includes a second championship golf course and 47-bedroom hotel wing.

The Spa features five pools: a 25m swimming pool, bubble pool, hydrotherapy pool, outdoor vitality pool and Balcony Infinity pool.

The thermal suite includes a herbal infusion sauna, Himalayan salt steam, aroma steam, caldarium, sunken amphitheatre sauna and drench showers.

There is a state-of-the art gym with more than 40 classes, 14 treatment rooms, sleep retreat with soundwave therapy beds and sleep bods, mud chamber, beauty snug, relaxation balcony, hair salon and “fusion” restaurant serving Asian meals, afternoon teas and snacks.

Around 60 new jobs have been created as part of the expansion.

Spa director Jill Russell, formerly of Rockliffe Hall near Darlington, said: “The interest we have already had in the spa has been phenomenal.

“We are so excited to be able to finally show off what is undoubtedly going to be one of the finest spas in the country.”

Work began on the £16m project in early 2012, planning permission having been granted in 2008.

Consent was also granted, in November 2011, for the construction of 34 executive homes on the estate – a project which is ongoing.

The Cathedral golf course opened in 2014, followed by the hotel wing earlier this year.

Ramside Estates, which includes Ramside Hall, Bowburn Hall in Bowburn and Hardwick Hall near Sedgefield, remains a family-owned business, with John Adamson and Helen Roseberry its directors.

Ramside, now a four-star venue, was opened in 1963 by businessmen Gordon McIntyre and Dick Coleman, Mr Adamson’s grandfather.

The business was further developed by Michael Adamson, John Adamson's father, who married Mr Coleman's daughter Marian.

Michael Adamson, who was awarded the MBE for services to the North-East, died in 2010, aged 74.

Bookings for The Spa are being taken now, on 0191-375-3088 or online at ramsidespa.co.uk