One of Cheltenham's most famous houses, featured recently on Channel 4's hit property programme Grand Designs, is being given away in a competition, fully furnished, for £25 per ticket in a New Year's Day 2009 prize draw.

Dubbed the 'Underground House' by Grand Designs because of its eco-friendly design the subterranean property is a meticulously constructed, modern townhouse in the heart of Cheltenham, one of the UK's most picturesque and iconic Georgian spa towns.

Those entering the skill based competition will have to answer a question, if the entrant gets the question right they are at least 12 times more likely to win the house, pound for pound, than winning the lottery and, with the prize worth just under £1 million, this will be the bargain of the year according to property expert, Catherine Anderson, Associate Director at Savills in Cheltenham.

“This is a unique prize for one very lucky person,” comments Catherine. “As Grand Design viewers will know, the current owners Tim and Zoe Bawtree overcame numerous obstacles in the design and build of this property and the end result is a beautifully constructed property which any homeowner would be incredibly proud of.

Not many of us have the time, energy, finances or knowledge to build such a unique and lovely property and, to be able to win it from an investment of £25, without having to sell your own property first, is extraordinary,” concludes Catherine.

The house itself is a triumph of eco-friendly design. Labelled a 'magical house' by Channel4, its main living area is located below ground but is filled with reflected natural sunlight.

As well as being fully insulated, it is heated by a ground source heat pump making it both economical to run and low maintenance. The house boasts what is one of the best HIPs ratings for energy efficiency in the town – famed worldwide for its architecture.

According to Tim, the property is perfect for those looking for a mortgage-free step onto the property ladder or a luxury pied-a-terre during the world-famous Cheltenham racing season.

“This house has something for everyone. It looks after itself and, as it is being transferred fully furnished with all the gadgetry and mod-cons included, anyone wanting a little piece of television history or a million-pound slice of contemporary living has a chance of winning it for just £25.”

10 percent of each ticket from the competition draw will go to a cancer based charity – something that is close to the hearts of both Tim and Zoe: “Like many, we've both lost friends and family to cancer,” comments Zoe. “We want to support those charities which work so tirelessly to help people suffering from cancer.”

Tickets for The Cheltenham House are on sale from Friday 12th September at www.winthecheltenhamhouse.com

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This release has been issued on behalf of The Cheltenham House by Montpellier. For further information please contact George Owen on 01242 211189.

Notes to Editors

Prize is worth just under £1 million - the property will be presented to the winner of the competition draw fully furnished with stamp duty and legal fees paid for.

Cost Breakdown:

£845,000 House value £50,000 Furnishings £40,000 PayPal Fee's £115,000 Charity Donation £36,000 Stamp Duty £24,000 Competition /marketing Legal Fee's £5,000 Conveyance

Property Details

12 Oxford Walk, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 6DN The Underground Grand Design

• 3 bedrooms (master with en-suite dressing room and wet room) • Large contemporary spa room • Family bathroom • Open plan living space incorporating sitting room/dining room/kitchen • Playroom/cinema room • Study • Utility room • Decked patio area and terraced gardens • Off road parking

Situation

Tucked away from Oxford Street, Oxford Walk is a private no through road within Cheltenham's town centre. Cheltenham became a spa town in 1716, although its popularity flourished after King George III visited in 1788. Its heyday as a spa town was to last from about 1790 to 1850s and it was during these years that many of the town's fine regency terraces, crescents and villas were built. There is a wide range of excellent schools in Cheltenham including Cheltenham Ladies' College, Cheltenham College (co-ed), St Edwards and Dean Close. As well as superb educational facilities, the town is well known for the many literary and music festivals that it holds as well as the cricket and national hunt festivals.

Description

Recently featured on the Channel 4 Grand Designs series, 12 Oxford Walk has been constructed by current owners, Tim and Zoe Bawtree, where they have lived since last November. The property has a wealth of advanced technological features and eco-friendly design features, from the ground source heat pump providing the central heating and hot water, a highly insulated polystyrene and concrete construction under a rendered and painted exterior with a waterproof guarantee and an NHBC certificate, double glazing, underfloor heating, wiring for living control which is a multi media system and a video access control, a Rako wireless mood lighting system and a contemporary bathroom to name a few.

The accommodation lies on three floors. At the lower ground level is the main living space, incorporating an open plan large sitting/dining/kitchen area. Well lit with part glass ceilings and light wells and floor to ceiling folding glass panels, this area is particularly contemporary with an Intoto kitchen with AEG appliances including 2 induction hobs, 3 ovens (including steam oven), built in coffee machine, Zip tap (offering instant boiling and instant chilled water), electronic touch cupboards and drawers with Silstone (anti bacterial protection) tops, Elica cooker hoods and porcelain flooring. On this level there is also a utility room and a contemporary bathroom with a glass steam cabinet, also with light therapy and a rain shower, and a Villeroy & Boch invisible jet bath. Beyond the living space is an outside terrace with IPE hardwood decking and outdoor mood lighting. Beyond that the playroom/cinema room is wired for a cinema projector and surround sound. Both this reception and the main reception area have glass folding doors and the whole area can be opened up into one large living space, ideal for entertaining.

An oak staircase leads up to the ground floor. Glass and timber doors give ground floor entry with a video access control. The master bedroom suite lies on this floor, with access out to the ground level decked outside terrace, an en-suite shower/wet room with Villeroy & Boch suite and a Daryll shower and a dressing room with Jesse units. Also at ground level is a study. On the first floor are two further bedrooms and a family bathroom with a Villeroy & Boch white suite. Outside to the front is a parking area and on the southerly side of the building two terraced areas with 'faux' grass and a stainless steel water feature. The whole offers a really light and contemporary feel with the amenities for real modern living.