But, despite reportedly paying in the region of £700,000 for the estate, it doesn’t look like Helen and her film director husband Taylor Hackford will be able to move into the 500-year-old property any time soon.

Although the castle, called Masseria Matine, comes complete with a moat and a dungeon, it currently has no running water or electricity and may need an estimated £550,000 worth of renovations before the glamorous pair can call it home.

"It’ll need a lot of work," the town’s mayor, Donato Martella, who toured the five-acre property with Helen on March 31, told the magazine. "But Helen has big plans for it."

Ovation as Helen brings Oscar home - Feb 28 2007
Dame Helen Mirren was greeted with a standing ovation by fellow air passengers as she brought her Oscar back to Britain. See photos of The Oscars

The star spent about 20 minutes posing for photographs and signing autographs in the baggage hall of Heathrow airport after flying back from Los Angeles.

Dressed casually in a white cotton blouse and looking fresh after her flight, she described it as an "incredible welcome".

Passengers applauded her for her achievement in winning Best Actress at every stage of her journey from the runway to her waiting car.

And she stopped briefly to speak to reporters, confessing she "loved" the pictures published of her tucking into a late night burger following the ceremony.

"I’ve just had the most incredible welcome to my country," she added. "It’s very, very sweet."

The 61-year-old posed with the gold statuette on her lap, beaming widely and clearly enjoying the adulation.

Dame Helen remains dignified - Feb 26 2007
There was no over-emotional sobbing from this year’s best actress at the Oscars - instead in her acceptance speech Dame Helen Mirren paid tribute to the Queen. See photos of The Oscars

"For 50 years and more, Elizabeth Windsor has maintained her dignity, her sense of duty - and her hairstyle," she said.

"She has had her feet planted firmly on the ground, her hat on her head and her handbag on her arm. She has weathered many, many storms. And I salute her courage and her consistency and I thank her because if it wasn’t for her I most certainly would not be here."

She ended her speech by holding up the Oscar statuette and saying: "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Queen."

The British star described her win as a "huge honour" and also paid tribute to her fellow nominees - Dame Judi Dench, Kate Winslet, Penelope Cruz and Meryl Streep.

"I share my gold star with them. They are brilliant, brilliant actresses who have amazing performances this year," she said.

Backstage, she said she felt it was a great year for Britain.

"I don’t think I’m our only big winner. I think we won big time this year, the British talent. What is incredibly important and I think generous of the Academy and the American people is recognising us."

But she said she wasn’t expecting a phone call from the Queen following her win.

"I’m not expecting a call from her Majesty, not ever!" she laughed.

"I think it’s wonderful that I live in a country that allows us to make a film like this."

Dame Helen confesses to pre-Oscar nerves - Feb 23 2007
Dame Helen Mirren has confessed to a bout of pre-Oscar nerves.