The nation’s fascination with luxury home raffles has reached new heights with the latest Omaze house draw, offering a magnificent £5.5 million country farmhouse as its grand prize. For just £10, lucky participants can win not only a stunning new home but also the chance to become a millionaire overnight. The Express was granted exclusive access to step inside this incredible property before it finds its new owner.
This marks Omaze’s 38th property giveaway in five years, with previous winners often opting to sell rather than live in their prizes. Past homes have included a sleek Cornish cliffside retreat, a grand Georgian townhouse in London, and a majestic Highlands mansion. This year, the spotlight is on a beautifully restored 17th-century farmhouse located in the picturesque Cotswolds.
The property features five bedrooms and five bathrooms, two spacious living rooms, a large kitchen-diner, a boot room, two utility rooms, several additional spaces, and a separate guest cottage. It’s offered mortgage-free, with all legal fees and stamp duty paid, plus a £250,000 cash prize to help with expenses.
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For those dreaming of countryside tranquility, an Airbnb Cotswold Manor House stay nearby provides a taste of the lifestyle, accommodating up to 16 guests for around £75 per person, per night. Visitors can enjoy picturesque National Trust sites often seen in Downton Abbey, including Basildon Park, the real-life Grantham House.
Journalist Frances Millar toured the sprawling farmhouse and shares her experience: She was impressed by the immaculate condition and elegant design. The stone exterior, framed by wisteria and roses, sits on a generous plot of rolling countryside with a wildflower meadow, orchard, greenhouse, stables, garages, and a heated outdoor pool.
Inside, the home combines classic country charm with stylish comforts – sage greens, cream, and duck egg blue tones, flagstone floors, timber beams, and luxurious furnishings create a serene yet glamorous atmosphere. While the immaculate rooms might feel intimidating for someone used to city life’s chaos, the extensive gardens sparked the writer’s imagination, envisioning a life filled with gardening, growing vegetables, and even keeping chickens.
The pool, perfectly heated and totally private, offers a tranquil escape, ideal for a quiet swim or lively celebrations without worrying about neighbors.
Crucially, this Omaze raffle supports a noble cause: the Guide Dogs UK charity, which will receive at least £1 million from ticket sales. This funding helps train puppies like Mazey, an 18-week-old lab-retriever cross on her path to becoming a guide dog. Volunteers like Jean Jordan provide early care and training, making a profound difference in the lives of people with sight loss.
With over two million affected by sight loss in the UK, and numbers expected to double by 2050, the charity’s work is vital.
So, would this dream home be the perfect fit? The enormous space and beauty are undeniable, but for some, the upkeep could be overwhelming. After all, managing a sprawling country estate vs a one-bedroom flat is a big leap. Ultimately, the prize is spectacular — and winning it would surely be a life-changing moment.
The Omaze house draw closes at midnight on Monday, 26 May, with the winner announced on Friday, 6 June.