The Biltmore Mansion

The end to our run of days of beautiful clear blue skies had to come. This was October after all. So today was a good day for a largely indoor activity, like going round the Biltmore mansion. In pretty torrential rain. We had pre-booked tickets. I was sent out into the deluge to pick them up.

I was looking forward to this visit. Although eye-wateringly expensive for a day out in a mansion, to be fair they do put on a lot. And it is all quite a fascinating story. The house was built by George Vanderbilt at the end of the 19th century. An unlikely character who was born into great wealth, but wasn't a complete nutter. Instead he was well travelled and had good taste, and the product is this enormous, impressive mansion.

We started in the old farm buildings, now used to show case local crafts.

The house is a sort of chateau on a grand scale.

As you will note, Christmas was not all that far away. So the place was dressed as if it was Christmas the next week, and lavishly so.

So we start at the winter garden. Yes of course you must have a garden indoors. Actually a lovely idea if you are fabulously wealthy.

The dining room, sorry the banqueting room. This is a different scale of dining. The ceiling is 7 floors in height. The walls are decorated with Flemish tapestries. The dining table can seat 60.

The breakfast room is more modest.

 To me amongst the most fascinating parts of the house reflect the mod cons of the very end of the 19th century. Like the indoor bowling lanes

And a swimming pool.

And a gymnasium. Note the very early rowing machine.

And obviously there would be good gardens (and by now the day was a little less wet) so that extended our stay.

Of course there would be greenhouses too. And there are. Beautiful ones. This estate would cost a fortune in upkeep. Which accounts for the high entry prices, the diversification into producing fine wines, a hotel, etc. But forget about all that sordid financial stuff - just look at the orchids...