Posh Pad 3: Updown Court

Billed by the developers as "the most important private residence to be built in England since the 19th century," newly-built Updown Court is bigger than Buckingham Palace [source: Updown Court, Ltd.]. And it's probably a lot more fun, too. The 103-room mansion includes a bowling alley, squash court, 50-seat movie theater and five swimming pools [source: Forbes]. The mansion totals 40,000 square feet and features a 24-carat gold leaf mosaic floor among its 22 bedrooms and 27 baths [source: Business Week].

David Goddard/Getty Images
An aerial view of Updown Court, located outside
London, England.

A heated marble driveway winds up to the mansion, through part of the estate's 60 acres. The staircase in the foyer is said to be modeled after the one found in Gianni Versace's old mansion in Miami. "If Elton John were a house, he'd be Updown Court," said one of the property's developers. He goes on to express doubt that Elton John could afford the $85 million pound estate. Don't feel bad for Mr. John, however. He has his own mansion around the corner, as does the Queen of England [source: The Guardian]. 

Why are the British Special Forces already planning to stand guard over the next house? You'll learn why on the next page.