Paul Knight, 47, and his partner Justin Snowdon, 36, recently celebrated their wedding in their breathtaking £4 million Somerset mansion, a prize Paul won earlier this year in the Omaze Million Pound House Draw. The six-bedroom period property, steeped in history since the mid-1500s, was once part of the estate of Sir John Harington, the godson of Elizabeth I and inventor of the flushing toilet.
Paul, a bar manager from Reading, discovered he had won the regal home — complete with £250,000 cash — while sitting on the toilet, a story his friends still love to tell. The couple, together for nearly 12 years, chose their new home as the perfect venue to tie the knot surrounded by family and friends.
“When we first won the house, we joked it was fit for royalty, so having our wedding here felt just right,” Paul said. “We feel unbelievably lucky to marry in our dream house, which doubles as the most stunning wedding venue. Our guests couldn’t believe how incredible the setting was.”
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The pair admitted that hiring a venue of this calibre would have been prohibitively expensive, making their dream wedding a distant one — until the Omaze win changed everything. Paul reflected on their elegant celebration, “It was the most magical day of our lives, and knowing this house is now our home makes it even more special.”
Following their celebration, Paul and Justin decided to share the exquisite mansion with holidaymakers, converting it into a luxury rental property to sustainably generate income. “We want others to experience this beauty. Renting it out has been a wonderful new chapter, providing us with security and exciting future opportunities,” Paul shared.
The 16th-century mansion features historic touches like a rare Tudor charcoal stove, 17th-century graffiti, and a functioning Tudor well, alongside modern comforts such as a home cinema and hot tub, thoughtfully added by the couple. While Justin continues his career as a flight attendant, Paul has shifted from bar management to running Batheaston House full-time.
Their life has transformed both financially and personally, with stability now allowing them to explore starting a family through adoption — a long-held dream.
The Omaze Million Pound House Draw in Bath raised £4.6 million for the British Heart Foundation and continues this legacy with upcoming draws in Surrey and Yorkshire, offering others the chance to win magnificent homes and cash prizes.