European Lottery Guild

Estate agents are falling over themselves to offer palatial properties to Justine Laycock and her boyfriend Nigel Page – Britain’s biggest ever lottery winners after scooping €64.8 Million in a recent EuroMillions draw.

When it comes to house-hunting, white van man Nigel and Justine can pick the cream of magnificent mansions with their new fortune.

The couple say they may be trading up their semi-detached house in a cul-de-sac in Stratton, Cirencester, but don’t want to move far away.

The town’s top-of-the-market house sellers all insist they have the perfect pile with everything from private lakes and stables to staff accommodation and tennis courts.

Bruce Tolmie-Thomson, from Knight Frank, Cirencester, offered some wise words for the couple: “They don’t want to buy something too grand because it’s a complete change in lifestyle for them. If you a buy a house for £6-10 Million, you have to then buy furniture worth that and you’d be at the top auction houses forever.

“They probably want perfection rather than size; a not-too-big country house and family home, not likely by a road but nice and private, with pretty gardens and nice views.”

Tolmie-Thomson said the “perfect” house would Frith House at Far Oakridge, on the market for £2.9 Million, with seven bedrooms, a one-bedroom annex and two-bedroom cottage, stables, paddocks and a lake on 22 acres.

Anthony Coaker, head of Savills at Cirencester, said Dowdeswell Court – the most expensive property on their books – could see the couple to the manor born.

He said: “It’s an impressive house on a £7.9 Million guide price, with eight acres and about eight en suite bedrooms, six reception rooms, staff accommodation and paddocks.

“My advice would be not to rush into anything and stay in the area they want to be rather than be tempted away to the perfect house, with no friends around you.

“And they shouldn’t be tempted by size, simply because it’s bigger and better than everything else.”

“We have a wonderful house, Plummers Farmhouse, at Siddington on 10 acres at £1.59 Million, with six bedrooms, three reception rooms, a staff annex, stabling, tennis court and paddocks.

“It would be perfect – in cycling distance of South Cerney, where I believe Mr Page skydives and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen lives in the village if the children want an upgraded bedroom.”

But Jenny Musitano, of Strutt & Parker, Cirencester, advised them to throw caution to the wind and buy before the General Election threw the housing market into uncertainty.

According to Musitano, listed 17th century Hillesley House, is a snitch at £2.75 Million, with 9.5 acres, including a swimming pool, tennis court, orangery and a party barn for youngsters.

Source: ThisIsGloucestershire.co.uk