Historic £4million manor that when belonged to Elizabeth I’s godson is revealed as the newest gorgeous property within the Omaze prize draw

A historic manor once belonging to Elizabeth I’s godson is the latest stunning property up for grabs in a hotly anticipated prize draw.

The country home near Bath worth more than £4million has remained almost unchanged since 1712 and it contains six-bedrooms as well as an internal functioning well.

One lucky winner could soon get their hands on keys to the elegant abode for just £10 in the latest Omaze competition which was launched today in partnership with the band S-Club 7.

The draw will raise money for the British Heart Foundation and the victor will also be given a whopping £250,000 in cash to go with the house which comes mortgage-free, with all stamp duty and legal fees covered.

The magnificent property was part of the estate of Sir John Harrington, the godson of Elizabeth I, during the reign of Queen Anne and Omaze says the added money could help the winner comfortably run the house for around ten years if they decide to keep the property.

Another option would be to rent the house out for supplementary income or otherwise sell it whenever they wish to become a cash multi-millionaire. 

If rented out, local estate agents estimate the property could achieve a long-term rental value of between £10,000 to £12,000 per month.

The exterior of the period property has remained almost unchanged since 1712 and the interior still retains many unique historical features including an internal functioning well, a secret Georgian drawer safe and graffiti dating back to 1636.

The property was meticulously restored in 2015 with high ceilings and windows that provide a wonderful sense of space and natural light.

The grade II listed house combines cosy grandeur with a discerning design for modern living. There are many period features such as panelling and cornices; delicate ceiling mouldings; elegant sash windows, all with shutters; and a magnificent staircase.

Leading from the grand entrance hall, the ground floor comprises four beautiful reception rooms; a south-facing drawing room, with direct access to the garden terrace; a morning room; an impressive dining room, with bespoke Breccia Medicea marble fireplace; and a garden room complete with a secret kitchen & bar, accessed behind sliding book cabinets, as well as full height French doors to the west courtyard dining area.

The bespoke kitchen, complete with vintage Electrikit AGA, is complemented by a pantry, larder, stone-vaulted dining room, utility room, cloakroom, cellar and plant room. The hand-built, bespoke cabinetry throughout is solid tulipwood with limed oak interiors, housing both Miele and Neff appliances.

The attention to detail continues on the first floor, where all rooms are panelled, providing a principal bedroom with en suite bathroom, as well as two dressing rooms, another bedroom and a dual aspect bathroom with adjoining shower room.

The second floor’s stylish guest accommodation features a further three double bedrooms and two bathrooms – one en-suite.

The coach house provides garaging and a one-bedroom annexe on the first floor.

The one acre of manicured gardens and grounds have been thoughtfully designed to complement the house perfectly, with high dressed stone walls, courtyards, a fountain, a charming stone orangery and a south-facing terrace, ideal for the winner to entertain friends and family.

It also boasts a workshop, ice-house, log store, shed and undercroft, as well as tanks containing 15,000L of stored rainwater connected to the two onsite wells.

The house is located in a sheltered position within the village of Batheaston and is only 3 miles from Bath city centre.

As well as making its Grand Prize Winner a multimillionaire, the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Bath, will raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

The money raised will go towards funding more defibrillators in communities across the country, as well as The Circuit, the national defibrillator network developed by the British Heart Foundation.

The partnership with Omaze is backed by BHF Ambassadors and pop band S Club, who tragically lost bandmate Paul to heart issues in 2022.

S Club and British Heart Foundation ambassadors said: ‘As proud supporters of the BHF, we’re excited to be a part of this exceptional collaboration.

‘Losing our much-loved band member Paul to an undiagnosed heart condition last year, brought the importance of the BHF’s work sharply into focus for us. We know that this Omaze partnership is hugely important to the charity, therefore it’s important to us too.

‘We want to honour Paul’s memory by helping others and feel fortunate we can do this through these fantastic organisations.’

Omaze has guaranteed BHF a minimum donation of £1 million from the partnership.

This is the third time the BHF has partnered with Omaze. The two previous partnerships, in 2021 and 2023, raised a combined £3 million.

James Oakes, Chief International Officer at Omaze, said: ‘Everyone at Omaze is thrilled to be partnering with BHF again for our latest house draw.

‘By offering this regal property in Bath, along with £250,000 in cash, Omaze gives people the chance to win a life-changing prize, whilst also raising money for charities.

‘The eventual winner is free to decide what they want to do with the house. They can move in and not have to worry about any costs, thanks to the £250,000 settling in money; they can rent it out, for additional income; or they can sell up and cash in to become a multi-millionaire – the choice is entirely theirs!’

He added: ‘Our charity partners get introduced to vast new audiences that they wouldn’t otherwise reach. We’re extremely proud that the Omaze Community has raised over £67 million for good causes across the UK.’

People who enter online by midnight on New Year’s Day (and Friday January 3 2025 for postal) are also in with the chance of winning a Bentley Continental worth £250,000.

Those who enter by Sunday January 12 2025 are also in with the chance to win a Range Rover Sport Autobiography, worth £100,000, plus £50,000 in cash.

Draw entries for the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Bath, are available now at omaze.co.uk. The Grand Prize Draw closes Sunday January 26 2025 for online entries and Tuesday January 28 2025 for postal entries.

Draw entries for the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, the Lake District, are also available now with details and full terms and conditions on the website.