Former garage in County Durham to open as luxury spa in November

Image: The ex-garage has undergone a major facelift

A former garage in County Durham that provided early motorists with a stopping point on the journey between Scotland and England, is to launch as a luxury spa in November following a major transformation.

The Garage has been designed by Blue Spa and Leisure to offer a "quintessential English spa" and will include five single treatment rooms and a couples suite with outdoor bath.

Wet facilities at the 450sq m (4,844sq ft) spa will include a mud pit rasul, a hammam and a steamroom, in addition to a salt room, three red cedar hot tubs and the Car Wash shower area.

One of the UK's first outdoor Shepherd's Hut log saunas will also be provided at The Garage, which is located in its Secret Garden and contains hanging pods with fur throws.

Blue Spa and Leisure's Jeremy Smith; Nick Mee of interior designer Matthewsmee; and The Morritt Hotel director Barbara-Anne Johnson are behind the new spa concept.

Johnson said: "Our vision is to create a place where people can truly leave their worries at the door, relax with a partner or friend and enjoy the highest levels of comfort and service with some imaginative and unforgettable experiences."

"The history of the location lent itself to becoming The Garage and as a result we have created a non-typical spa, one which has a clear differentiation in the market and offers its guests a warm and totally relaxing environment."

The Garage will be accessible to spa break and day spa/treatment visitors, as well as to the residents of the adjoining Morritt Hotel. Membership is also available to local residents.

Details: www.thegaragespa.co.uk