Everybody loves nosing around other people’s homes – especially those at the higher end of the property market.
So when I got the chance to be the first ever journalist to gain exclusive access to a multi-million pound mansion on my home turf in Wirral, I wasn’t about to turn it down.
The stunning property in the affluent village of Caldy is up for grabs in Omaze’s latest prize draw, along with a whopping £250k to help the lucky winner settle in.
Making my way down the private road into the grand driveway, I was awestruck, but suddenly self conscious about my scruffy mud-caked car against the backdrop of the beautiful Hollywood Hills inspired abode.
(Image: Kelly Williams)
Coming from a modest two-up-two-down in Wallasey, I’d always thought of Caldy as the posh place where all the footballers lived. So I wouldn’t be surprised if residents, Robbie Fowler and Rafa Benitez clocked me and reported me to Neighbourhood Watch.
But if only for a little while, I could pretend I was living the high life among them in a sprawling property that rivals something out of Grand Designs. The property boasts five bedrooms, panoramic coastal views towards North Wales, a cinema room and a heated swimming pool.
If it hadn’t been mid-November (and not my house) I wouldn’t have hesitated to jump into the inviting pool. However I didn’t exercise as much restraint when I saw the size of the bedrooms and the urge to faceplant one of the beds suddenly got the better of me.
(Image: Kelly Williams)
Immediately, I could imagine myself living there – hosting friends and family in the ginormous open plan kitchen/dining area this Christmas with a huge fireplace roaring beside us.
Of course, I had to try out the chairs for comfort too and headed for the centrepiece of the room – a unique show-stopping couch set almost like a full moon beneath a spectacular round skylight reminiscent of James Bonds’ lair.
Exploring the maze, the ground floor has a welcoming entrance hall, a state-of-art cinema room, double bedroom with an en suite shower and toilet, boot room, laundry room and a double garage.
(Image: Kelly Williams)
A feature staircase leads to the first floor and heart of the house – a spacious, bespoke kitchen complete with quartz worktops, a breakfast island, integrated Gaggenau double oven with gas hobs by Bertazzoni.
And what posh pad would be complete without a Fisher and Paykel Fridge and a sink fitted with a Quooker tap?
The generous main bedroom with en suite is also on the same floor, along with three further double bedrooms, an office with a full length window overlooking the garden, a family bathroom and a hallway of wardrobes that goes on for days.
(Image: Kelly Williams)
The extensive private gardens have manicured lawns and mature trees and the large entertaining terraces, full width balconies and outdoor kitchen create an unrivalled outdoor living space.
I started picturing how I’d childproof the house if it was mine, but then I had to snap out of my daydream and ignore my feelings of envy towards the lucky winner who will bag the life-changing prize in time for the festivities.
The house sits on the edge of the sandstone outcrop of the Wirral Peninsula bringing the surrounding countryside inside the property in a magnificent example of modern architecture and design.
(Image: Kelly Williams)
A short stroll away from Caldy Beach, Thurstaston Beach, Heswall and Parkgate salt marshes, the 4,750 square foot property proudly boasts a plaque for its nomination for the RIBA Mansell house of the year. It combines elements of America’s West Coast and mid-century modern homes, in an original composition that perfectly compliments the surrounding landscape.
The property is surrounded by over 10 acres of National Trust Woodland, with footpaths available for the winner to enjoy right outside the gates.
Perhaps the lure for many footballers is that Caldy Golf Club is also in close proximity, with Heswall and Royal Liverpool Golf Club, home of The Open in 2023, close by too. With more golf courses per capita on the Wirral than anywhere else in the UK, the property is ideally placed for any golf enthusiast.
(Image: Kelly Williams)
The property of dreams comes mortgage-free, with all stamp duty and legal fees covered.
Personally, I’d never leave, but winners can decide whether to either live in the house, rent it out for a supplementary income or sell it whenever they wish to become a cash multimillionaire.
If the winner decides to keep the luxurious property, the £250,000 would enable them to run the house for an estimated 10 years.
(Image: Kelly Williams)
If they decide to rent it out, local estate agents estimate that the property could achieve a long-term rental value of £8,000 per month.
The Omaze Million Pound House Draw will even raise at least £1m for Scouts and is backed by TV presenter and Chief Ambassador of World Scouting, Bear Grylls.
Draw entries for the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, the Wirral, are available now. The draw closes on Sunday, November 24 for online entries and Tuesday, November 26 for postal entries.