A retired woman from Swindon has become a multi-millionaire after winning a stunning £4.5 million mansion in the Lake District, all because she chose to ignore her husband's advice not to enter the prize draw.
The Sceptical Husband and the £25 Ticket
Nicola Dickinson, 59, first considered entering the Omaze prize draw four years ago, setting up a recurring monthly subscription. When she mentioned it to her husband of 38 years, 58-year-old Martyn, he was dismissive, telling her she would 'never win in a million years' and that she shouldn't bother. Despite his scepticism, Nicola continued to enter, spending just £25 on the ticket that ultimately changed their lives.
The couple, who have lived in the same Swindon home for three decades, had even been discussing downsizing to manage their finances on the very morning the life-altering news arrived. "It was just a very ordinary day," Nicola recalled, describing herself as being at home doing housework and looking after her granddaughter.
The Day Everything Changed
When the initial call from Omaze came through on January 16, 2026, Nicola was convinced it couldn't be real. "I put the phone down and said to my husband, 'That was Omaze, apparently I've won something, but it can't be real,'" she said. After a moment of doubt where she put her shoes on to investigate, then took them off again thinking she was being 'silly,' the team called back to say they were outside her door.
"I was thinking, best case scenario, I may have won £1,000 – which would've been lovely! Winning a house never crossed my mind," Nicola admitted. To her astonishment, she was informed she had won a multi-million-pound property in the village of Crook, in the Lake District.
A Luxury Retreat and a New Future
The prize is not just any house. The mansion comes complete with its own private lake, a wooden jetty, and an outdoor wellness area featuring a sauna, hot tub, and shower. Inside, the property boasts a gym, utility room, boot room, an electric car charger, solar panels, and multiple garages.
In addition to the house, Nicola also won £250,000 in cash, which will help cover running costs if they decide to keep the property. The win has utterly transformed the couple's retirement prospects and their family's future. "We've worked hard our whole lives... this win really does change everything for all of us," said the former HR manager. "It feels like a generational legacy for our family."
The couple haven't yet decided whether to sell, rent out, or keep the Lake District retreat, but they are certain they will enjoy it with their three adult children and three grandchildren first. As for Martyn, he has good-naturedly eaten his words, though he joked he was a 'little disappointed' they didn't win the Porsche 911 that was also part of the promotion. Nicola has since teased that she can now afford to buy him one if he 'plays his cards right.'
Reflecting on her husband's initial doubt, Nicola laughed, "Winning has shown this is precisely why I never listen to him, and thank goodness I didn't – we're multi-millionaires now." With her 60th birthday approaching in May, she confirms her celebration plans have "gone up a notch," marking the start of a dramatically different and far more luxurious chapter in their lives.
