Local Dad’s £2m Omaze Win Changes Family’s Future Forever
From £25 Ticket to £2 Million Prize: A Life-Changing Moment
When aircraft engineer Simon Williams answered his phone in October 2023, he nearly hung up on what he thought was another cold call. Instead, it was the news that would transform his life forever. The 41-year-old father of two had won an Omaze mansion in Devon worth over £2 million, plus £100,000 in cash—all thanks to a £25 monthly subscription ticket. Originally from Kent but living in a modest three-bedroom home in Sussex for 15 years, Simon suddenly held the keys to a stunning five-bedroom country property nestled within enchanting woodland and bordering Dartmoor National Park. The property arrived completely mortgage-free, with all stamp duty and legal fees already covered. Simon’s win represents the kind of extraordinary opportunity that resonates throughout communities, sparking conversations about possibility and second chances. For locals and visitors planning to visit Newquay or explore Cornwall’s attractions like Fistral Beach, similar dreams of adventure and new possibilities often inspire travel and lifestyle decisions. Simon’s genuine reaction—laughing, crying, and staring into the abyss at the surreality of it all—captured what many of us feel when life suddenly shifts in unexpected directions. “It’s still hard to comprehend it all actually happened to me,” he reflected, noting the win ranked second only to his daughters’ births as the best day of his life.
Making Memories at the Dream Home Before Moving On
Rather than immediately selling or renting out his extraordinary prize, Simon made the deliberate choice to enjoy the property with his family for six months—a decision that proved invaluable for creating lasting memories. The sprawling Devon mansion provided something his Sussex home never could: genuine space to host large family gatherings. Simon threw memorable celebrations at Christmas and Easter, finally bringing everyone together under one roof in style. He reminisced about how good it felt to welcome relatives and loved ones into such a magnificent setting, making special memories that wouldn’t have been possible in his previous three-bedroom home. Beyond the grand celebrations, Simon discovered unexpected joy in the simple pleasures the property offered. He spent countless hours on the ride-on lawnmower that came with the house—a detail that speaks volumes about finding happiness in life’s quiet moments. His enthusiasm for that particular feature became so genuine that he eventually sold it to a colleague, though the friend kindly lets him visit it on weekends. This choice to slow down and savour the experience, rather than rush into monetising it, highlights how families can create meaningful moments together, whether at a dog-friendly accommodation during holidays along Fistral Beach or in unexpected luxury spaces like Simon’s temporary Devon home.
From Mansion to Secure Future: What Happens Next for Local Winners
After six months of treasured family time, Simon made the pragmatic decision to sell the property, banking over £2 million from the transaction. Rather than viewing this as abandoning his dream, he reframed it as securing his family’s future—the prize’s true value materialised through financial stability. With his substantial windfall, Simon purchased his ideal five-bedroom home in Sussex, a property that meaningfully echoes his Omaze experience. Remarkably, one key factor in selecting his new residence was the presence of trees in the garden that reminded him of the magical woodland setting at the Devon mansion. This choice reveals how transformative experiences shape us long after they end. For residents across our community, Simon’s story offers several important takeaways. First, life-changing opportunities sometimes arrive unexpectedly—staying open to possibilities matters. Second, timing decisions wisely can multiply benefits; Simon’s six-month delay allowed both memory-making and optimal market conditions. Third, using unexpected windfalls strategically—rather than impulsively—creates lasting security. As communities continue planning local attractions and family experiences, whether day trips to visit Newquay’s stunning beaches or staycations at dog friendly accommodation near Fistral Beach, Simon’s experience reminds us that the memories and relationships we build matter as much as the prizes we win. His journey from ticket-holder to multi-millionaire to thoughtful family man offers inspiration for us all.
Source: Dad won £2million Omaze mansion then sold it 6 months later
