Dubbed 'the safest home in America', this 36,000-square-foot mansion in the suburbs of Atlanta is as secure as they come. Inspired by the Acropolis of Athens, th eight-bedroom Greek Revival pile boasts everything from a home theatre and bowling alley, to an infrared sauna and infinity pool. Love this? These enormous American mansions will make your head spin.

The bunker even has its own command centre, not to mention remote-controlled ballistic walls and doors that can protect against a missile strike or zombie apocalypse. Once listed for $17 million (£13m), the home was sold by Concierge Auctions in December 2018 for a bargain $2.5 million (£2m).

Alton Manor in New Jersey went on the market in 2015 with Pat McKenna Realtors, priced at $2.9 million (£2.3m). The five-bedroom 11,500-square-foot French Colonial mansion rocks a number of wow-factor amenities, including a 42-seater party bar and state-of-the-art soundproof movie theatre.

The spacious property also has a large outdoor pool complete with a two-storey pool house, as well as a mini casino with slot machines and a cinema ticket booth containing a decidedly creepy-looking mechanical usher. Minus the horror movie puppet, we think it'd make the perfect party house.

This Grade I-listed townhouse in Brighton was put on the market with Brand Vaughan for $4.7 million (£3.7m) in 2016. The imposing 19th-century property has five bedrooms and was used as a holiday home by members of the Thai royal family during the 1940s and 1950s.

Recently renovated by engineering firm Gyoury Self, the tunnel is said to have inspired the famous rabbit hole in Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. The iconic storyteller visited the gardens on several occasions before the much-loved literary classic was published. Love this? These homes inspired some of the world's best-loved books.

Staying with the Alice in Wonderland theme, this French-style custom-built property in Minnesota sprawls over 9,000 square feet. The handiwork of Schrader & Companies, the luxurious $2.5 million (£2m) family home has all sorts of enviable features.

The unique two-part property was sold in 2016 by local firm Century 21 Beutler & Associates Real Estate to one very lucky buyer for $700,000 (£549k), a snip at the price given its numerous amenities. Check out these other big homes on sale for tiny bucks.

Situated in the breathtakingly beautiful hill town of Civita di Bagnoregio in central Italy, Domus Civitas is an enchanting 14th-century palazzo built into the hillside. Renovated in 2011 by renowned architect Patrizio Fradiani of Studio F, the three-bedroom property is simply divine.

Available to rent via Airbnb, the palazzo houses a kitchen cave area too, along with a wine cellar stocked with the best vintage label, a capacious fireplace and a formal Italian garden.

This intriguing three-storey wood, steel and reinforced concrete home overlooks Lake Hamama on Japan's Pacific coast. It was completed in 2016 by architecture firm Yukiharu Suzuki & Associates. 

On top of providing a space to take in the vistas, the well thought out tunnel has a practical, environmentally friendly purpose, allowing plenty of fresh air circulation, and no doubt saving the owners a fortune on their air conditioning bills. Love this? These passive houses around the world cost nothing to run.

One of two pavilions designed by London architects Carmody Groarke in 2018 for a country house in East Sussex, this concrete guest suite is situated on the banks of an artificial lake.

The dinky guest suite pavilion, which is lined with fine oak panels, contains a cosy double bed, vintage-style bathtub and a compact kitchen, plus a dramatic floor-to-ceiling window that looks out onto the lake. This snug hideaway looks right up our street!

Love this? Step inside these curious homes with secret rooms hidden inside