Grandfather Surprises Wife with $6M Home After Entering Competition Without Telling Her: ‘Our Very Own Downton Abbey’

“We were completely bowled over, just in total disbelief. I’m not sure it will ever sink in,” Ian Roberts said of winning the giveaway

Viv and Ian Roberts are pictured with their new $6 million home.Credit : OMAZE

A grandfather in England gave his wife the surprise of her life after winning a $6 million mansion in a competition she didn’t even know he’d entered.

Ian Roberts, 66, won the keys to the spectacular six-bedroom country home in Yorkshire as well as over $668,000 (£500,000) in cash after spending just over $33 (£25) as part of his Omaze subscription.

Ian, who currently lives in Warwickshire in the West Midlands, couldn’t believe it when he was told he’d won the latest Omaze Million Pound House Draw. He described it as their “very own Downton Abbey,” per a press release obtained by PEOPLE.

Viv and Ian Roberts are pictured with their new $6 million home.

The couple’s new estate, which came mortgage free, “sits within 16 acres of landscaped gardens and rolling paddocks, with panoramic views across the Vale of Mowbray towards the Yorkshire Moors.” It includes a boating lake, swimming pool, tennis court and equestrian facilities, Omaze said, per the release.

Ian and his wife, Viv, 66, have three children in their mid-30s and three grandchildren 5 years old and younger.

The couple was “busy chopping carrots” for dinner when Omaze first reached out to tell them of their big win. Not long after, the team turned up on their doorstep to reveal the exciting news.

Ian and Viv Roberts’ new $6 million home.OMAZE

“When I got the call, the last thing on my mind was winning a spectacular six-bedroom house, our main focus was just on cooking dinner for our friends,” Ian recalled.

“We almost didn’t pick up as we were in the middle of chopping carrots,” he continued, per the release, insisting he thought somebody was pulling a prank when he answered the phone.

Ian, who is now retired after working for more than 30 years in London, admitted, “When I opened the door and saw the cameras, I thought maybe the best case scenario could be a car or a cash prize.”

Ian and Viv Roberts’ new $6 million home.OMAZE

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“Then the next thing we knew, I’m the owner of an amazing mansion in Yorkshire. We were completely bowled over, just in total disbelief. I’m not sure it will ever sink in,” he continued.

Ian added, “My wife didn’t even know I’d entered, so she was doubly surprised! We told the immediate family, all 14 of them! They couldn’t believe it either, they were all convinced we were winding them up.”

Ian and Viv Roberts’ new $6 million home.OMAZE

“Everything about this house is special, even the pool house looks more like an actual house, it’s almost as big as our first flat,” he quipped. “Now we have our own tennis court, I suppose I should probably work on my serve!”

The grandfather also said that their family’s youngest generation “will love exploring and having adventures here.” He added, “It will be one giant playground for them — although we might need walkie talkies to keep track of them! It’s going to be an extra special Christmas this year.”

A fan of “big family gatherings,” Ian said that they now have “the perfect house to bring everyone together,” especially with their 40th wedding anniversary coming up next year. “I think we’ve found the perfect venue for a party,” he continued, per the release.

Ian and Viv Roberts’ new $6 million home.OMAZEWhile admittedly they don’t know what they’re doing to do regarding the property long term, Ian said that they’re “definitely going to enjoy this incredible place as a family before we make any decisions.”

“We’re very excited, whatever we decide to do, it will have a massive impact on our lives,” he continued.

He added that the additional cash they’d won meant that “if we wanted to, we could actually afford to stay here for years, it’s fantastic to have that option.”

Ian and Viv Roberts’ new $6 million home.OMAZE

Omaze partnered with Refuge, the United Kingdom’s largest specialist domestic abuse charity, on the giveaway and will hand a guaranteed donation of over $1.3 million (£1 million) to the organization.

The money will help Refuge “provide more standalone safe homes and specialist support for women and their children escaping abuse, enabling more families to rebuild their lives free from fear,” per the release.

Ian added, “I’m so proud to be part of the Omaze Community that raised so much for Refuge.”