Hannah Drury Turns Omaze Lake District Home Into Holiday Let
Hannah Drury turned her omaze £4 million Lake District home into a holiday let instead of selling it, and the move has already pulled in 46 bookings. Deer Close, overlooking Coniston Water, welcomed its first visitors in January 2026 and now has reservations stretching into 2027.
Deer Close at Coniston Water
Drury won the property in an Omaze draw in 2025, then decided to keep it after considering a sale. The house can accommodate up to 10 guests, giving the winner a route to earn from the prize without giving up the asset entirely.
The listing went live through, and the home’s features read like a premium short-let brief: a private jetty with direct lake access, a boathouse snug overlooking the water, an outdoor kitchen for al fresco dining, a hot tub, and a wellness suite with a gym and treatment room. For a property that began life as a raffle-style prize, it has been treated less like a trophy and more like a commercial stay experience.
46 Bookings in Year One
Drury said the decision not to sell came down to the house itself. “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.”
She also said the demand arrived faster than expected. “The response has been amazing, and we honestly didn’t expect the bookings to come in so quickly.”
Lake District Demand Signal
James Shaw, chief commercial officer at, pointed to wider demand for this kind of rental. “We’re seeing growing demand for unique and experience-led stays, particularly in iconic UK destinations like the Lake District,” he said. “Properties with standout features and memorable settings are especially popular with holidaymakers looking to make more of their time away.”
Drury’s choice gives her the cash flow of a holiday let while she continues to teach, which makes this more than a one-off windfall story. “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.”
