‘I won £4m Omaze home in Lake District but haven’t sold it – we didn’t expect what happened next’
A teacher who won a £4million Omaze mansion in the Lake District has revealed why she made a surprising decision about the luxury home
15:04, 19 May 2026Updated 15:05, 19 May 2026
Omaze winners Rupert & Hannah Drury outside their £4m Lake District home(Image: Mark Field Photography / Omaze)
A primary school teacher who landed a £4million luxury home in an Omaze draw has revealed why she decided not to cash in on the prize – after being stunned by what happened once she opened it to paying guests.
Lake District resident Hannah Drury, originally from Frome, won the spectacular Deer Close property overlooking Coniston Water in 2025. But instead of putting the home on the market or moving in permanently, she transformed it into a holiday let while continuing her day job as a teacher.
Hannah admitted she could hardly believe the news when organisers first contacted her to say she had won the waterfront property.
She said: “When I got the call from Omaze, I genuinely thought someone was winding me up – it just didn’t feel real at all. One minute I was living a completely normal life, and the next we owned this incredible lakeside home.”
After considering whether to sell the property, Hannah and her family ultimately decided they could not part with it. Instead, they listed the home through sykescottages.co.uk, where demand quickly exceeded expectations.
Omaze winners Rupert & Hannah Drury outside their £4m Lake District home(Image: Mark Field Photography / Omaze)
She said: “We did think about selling it, but it felt too special to let go. Opening it up to guests felt like the best way to make the most of it while still keeping it part of our lives.
“The response has been amazing, and we honestly didn’t expect the bookings to come in so quickly.”
The home welcomed its first visitors in January 2026 and has already secured 46 bookings in its debut year, with reservations stretching into 2027.
Set beside Coniston Water, Deer Close can accommodate up to 10 guests and comes with a private jetty giving direct lake access. The property also boasts a boathouse snug overlooking the water, an outdoor kitchen designed for al fresco dining, a hot tub and a wellness suite complete with its own gym and treatment room.
The £4 million property in the Lake District at Coniston Water(Image: Omaze / SWNS)
Despite the dramatic lifestyle change that came with winning the property, Hannah said she has no plans to leave teaching behind.
She explained: “I continue to teach, which feels quite surreal at times, but I love my job. This has given us a real sense of security for the future, while still allowing us to hold on to something really special as a family.”
According to James Shaw, Chief Commercial Officer at sykescottages.co.uk, properties offering memorable experiences in sought-after UK destinations are becoming increasingly popular with holidaymakers.
He said: “We’re seeing growing demand for unique and experience-led stays, particularly in iconic UK destinations like the Lake District.
The £4 million property in the Lake District at Coniston Water(Image: Omaze / SWNS)
“Properties with standout features and memorable settings are especially popular with holidaymakers looking to make more of their time away.
“Stories like Hannah’s show how holiday letting can work flexibly around existing careers, while also helping bring visitors into local communities and supporting tourism in these areas.”
Deer Close is available to let via Sykes Holiday Cottages. For more information, click here.
