An opera-singing couple who scooped a £4million Lake District mansion in an Omaze draw are now throwing open their home and renting it out for £6,000 a week.
Hannah Drury, 42, and her husband Rupert’s life was turned upside down when she won the luxury lakeside property overlooking Coniston in January’s Omaze Million Pound House Draw.
The music teacher and trained operatic soprano bought her £25 ticket just before Christmas, and admits Dry January ‘went straight out the window’ when the winning call came.
Mr Drury, also a music teacher and operatic tenor, said they fell for the home instantly.
But after a year of hosting friends and family non-stop, thanks in part to the £250,000 cash, which has enabled them to make the most of the home without worrying about costs, they have decided to let others enjoy it too.
The 42-year-old from Somerset said: ‘It still doesn’t feel real – every time we’re in the car approaching the house and see the lake through the trees, we start getting butterflies.
‘I keep saying to my husband Rupert, how is this all ours? I’m still half-expecting to wake up, and it all have been a dream, but here we are.
‘We fell in love with the house the second we walked through the door – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime property that we’d never have had the opportunity to even stay in, let alone own, so we knew we were going to keep it.’
Hannah bagged the country pile as part of the Omaze Million Pound House Draw
Inside it is kitted out with luxurious furniture, with rooms offering ‘spellbinding’ views of the Lake District
She recalls she was three days into Dry January this year when they found out about the win – and said that lasted ‘all of about 30 seconds.’
She added: ‘We opened a bottle we’d been saving for a special occasion – but it had actually gone off.
‘Luckily, we had a backup, so we popped that instead. I entered just before Christmas – so it was obviously the best Christmas present ever, belated or otherwise, I don’t think we’ll top it.’
Since they got the life-changing prize, the two have been making the most of the four-bedroom property, which sits on the edge of Lake Coniston, surrounded by six acres of private woodland.
The married mother-of-three said: ‘It’s never been empty since we got the keys! We’ve had more than thirty different sets of friends and family come up and stay.
‘I was joking to Rupert that we’ve been so popular we might have to change our numbers! We use it so much – it’s been incredible coming up in the school holidays to share this space with all our loved ones.
‘It’s the ultimate playground for our children and their cousins – we’ve already made memories that will last a lifetime.
‘We’ve now decided we’ll also rent it out, as the money we’ll get will be genuinely life-changing – it gives us a sense of security we could never have imagined and takes all the pressure off.
‘It’s the best of both worlds – we still get to enjoy our amazing home, and it also provides a significant supplementary income.
‘Other families can also enjoy it too. It’s the perfect setup for us.’
It features reverse-level living, a spa with Himalayan salt wall, gym, rainfall shower and wood-fired hot tub overlooking the lake.
A private jetty gives direct access to the water, while a stand-alone boat house and summerhouse offer peaceful retreats for guests.
She will get around £6,000 a week on average from renting the property.
She added: ‘We never in a million years thought we’d end up somewhere with our own private jetty – it’s unbelievable.
‘The kids can jump safely straight into the lake – it’s a very refreshing start to the day! Evenings in the hot tub, watching the sunset reflect across the lake, will never get old.
‘It’s one of those places that instantly slows you down – the second you arrive, the world just exhales. It’s got everything – a spa, a boat house, our very own wood, and the most spectacular views imaginable.’
Hannah Drury, 42, was left ‘speechless’ when she discovered she had scooped the riverside bolthole in the Lake District. She is pictured with husband, Richard, 49
The £4million secluded waterside sanctuary at Coniston water is nestled in quaint woodland
Pictured is the outdoor space with stunning views of the Lake District’s wild countryside
The £4million country pile boasts its own private jetty, with 200m of lakeside frontage
And huge windows offer stunning views of the Lake District, with mountains and wild forests
Inside, the home boasts its own workout area and spa room. If Hannah was to rent the mansion out, its estimated it would make £4,000 a month
The breathtaking property, which was redeveloped and redesigned by Omaze, comes mortgage-free and with all legal fees covered
Mrs Drury said the win has transformed every part of their family’s life.
She added: ‘Knowing our children are going to be secure for the rest of their lives is the best feeling in the world – it’s absolutely priceless,’ she said. ‘We’re both still teaching as we absolutely love our jobs, but now we can do it because we want to, not because we have to. Winning this house has completely changed our lives – all the usual stresses have just evaporated.’
The family also said they will be spending their first Christmas in the Lakes this year.
‘It’s just the most idyllic house to spend Christmas in,’ she said.
‘We can’t imagine a more picture-perfect setting to celebrate Christmas.
‘This time last year I’d entered the Omaze draw just before Christmas, sat on the sofa having a scroll – and now here we are in our £4 million house. It’s been the most transformational year of our lives.
‘Winning an Omaze house has changed our lives forever, and we know whoever the lucky winner of this year’s Lakes house is, they will be just as happy as we are!’
James Oakes, President of Omaze, said: ‘We’re full of Christmas cheer to see Hannah and her family enjoying their beautiful Lake District home a year on – and even more delighted that they’re sharing it with others.
‘Hannah’s story is another example of how winning with Omaze can transform lives while raising millions for great causes.
‘Omaze gives people the chance to win life-changing prizes, while also raising significant funds for incredible causes. Thanks to the generosity of the Omaze community, we’ve now raised over £100 million for good causes across the UK.’
As well as changing Druries’ life, the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Lake District, raised £5,250,000 for Age UK – Omaze’s biggest ever total for a UK charity partner.
The Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Lake District, supporting the RSPCA, is now open at omaze.co.uk. One lucky entrant is guaranteed to win a £4.5 million countryside retreat nestled between Windermere and Kendal, complete with its own private lake, panoramic views and £250,000 in cash.
The Grand Prize Draw closes on Friday 26th December 2025 for online entries, and Tuesday 30th December 2025 for postal entries.