Hannah Drury from Frome won the luxury Deer Close property overlooking Coniston Water worth £4 million in the 2025 Omaze Lake District draw – and transformed it into a thriving holiday let instead of selling it
A primary school teacher who scooped a £4million luxury property in an Omaze draw has revealed why she chose not to sell it — after being astonished by what happened once she opened it to paying guests.
Lake District resident Hannah Drury, originally from Frome, won the stunning Deer Close property overlooking Coniston Water in 2025. But rather than putting the home on the market or relocating there permanently, she transformed it into a holiday let while continuing her career as a teacher.
Hannah admitted she could barely believe the news when organisers first called to tell her 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 weighing up whether to sell the property, Hannah and her family ultimately decided they couldn’t bear to part with it. Instead, they listed the home through Sykes Holiday Cottages, where demand quickly surpassed all expectations, reports the Liverpool Echo.
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 property welcomed its first guests in January 2026 and has already secured 46 bookings in its opening year, with reservations now extending into 2027.
Nestled alongside Coniston Water, Deer Close can sleep up to 10 guests and features a private jetty offering direct access to the lake. The home also includes 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.
Despite the dramatic lifestyle change that came with winning the property, Hannah says she has no intention of stepping away from teaching.
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 Sykes Holiday Cottages, properties offering unforgettable experiences in sought-after UK destinations are proving increasingly popular among holidaymakers.
He said: “We’re seeing growing demand for unique and experience-led stays, particularly in iconic UK destinations like the Lake District.
“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 rent through Sykes Holiday Cottages. For further details, click here.
