A Swindon grandmother has become a multi-millionaire after winning a spectacular £4.5 million Lake District home in an Omaze prize draw, proving her husband's long-held scepticism wrong. Nicola Dickinson, 59, scooped the grand prize, which includes the mortgage-free property, over £150,000 in furnishings, and a further £250,000 in cash, declaring the life-changing windfall is "precisely why I never listen to my husband".
From Housework to a House Worth Millions
Nicola, who has been married to husband Martyn, 58, for 38 years, had entered the Omaze draws for four years. She spent just £25 on her winning entry as part of a subscription. Throughout that time, Martyn repeatedly told her she would "never win in a million years". On the day Omaze called with the news, Nicola was at home doing housework and looking after her granddaughter, having a conversation with Martyn about potentially downsizing to manage their finances.
"When I got the call from Omaze, I honestly didn't think it was real," Nicola recalled. "I put the phone down and said to my husband, 'That was Omaze, apparently I've won something, but it can't be real.'" After initially putting her coat on to investigate, she dismissed it as "silly" and went to make a cup of tea. Only when Omaze called back to say they were outside her home did the reality begin to dawn. "I was thinking best case scenario I may have won £1,000," she said. "Winning a house never crossed my mind."
A Stunning Property and Life-Changing Choices
The luxurious property, located near the village of Crook in the Lake District, comes with no mortgage, all stamp duty and legal fees covered. It boasts a private lake with a wellness area featuring a sauna, hot tub, and outdoor shower. The house includes a double-height entrance hall, an open-plan living space with panoramic lake views, a designer kitchen, and five double en suite bedrooms. The main bedroom features a freestanding bath overlooking the water.
The Dickinsons, who have three adult children and three grandchildren and have lived in the same Swindon house for 30 years, now have significant options. The £250,000 cash means they could afford to run the house for years if they choose to live in it. Alternatively, local estate agents estimate it could achieve a long-term rental value of around £4,000 per month. They are also free to sell it and become cash multi-millionaires.
"This win has taken so much pressure off us financially," Nicola said. "It gives us security, stability and peace of mind in a way we'd never even dreamed of." She added that the win creates a "generational legacy" for her family, allowing them to support their children and grandchildren.
Charity Benefits Alongside Life-Changing Win
Nicola highlighted that she continued entering the draws partly because they supported good causes, even if she didn't win. This particular campaign was in partnership with the RSPCA, which received a £1,000,000 donation from the Omaze Community. The funds will aid the charity's rehabilitation work for neglected and abused animals.
James Oakes, President of Omaze, said: "We're absolutely delighted that Nicola has won this incredible Lake District home, while also helping to raise crucial funds for the RSPCA." He confirmed that the Omaze Community has now raised over £100 million for UK charities.
The couple celebrated their win with "lots of bubbles", joking that "Dry Jan never stood a chance". Nicola, who retired from a 28-year HR career in 2019, turns 60 in May and says her birthday plans have "gone up a notch". As for Martyn, whose sales director role has involved extensive European travel, Nicola noted: "For the first time, we can actually think about slowing down and enjoying life together."
