While on my recent trip up to Asheville, NC, Vicki and I also got the special privilege of visiting the Biltmore House and Gardens and meeting with one of the horticulturists there for a little tour of our own. And it was beautiful. Cold, but beautiful! Spring hadn’t quite caught up with the tulips and daffodils that were blooming yet and the temps that day were chilly to say the least, but we made it through and persevered. We did a wonderful walking tour in the garden and then went inside the Biltmore for an audio tour,which was SO interesting.
The Biltmore is such an inspiring and beautiful place. To think that it was completed and the family had a party on Christmas Eve 1895, is just amazing. You can read more about the estate history and see all the details. The fact that this house was built in the late 1800’s is just astounding to me, the depth of work and perseverance it must have taken to see this house come about. It truly rivals the castles of Europe and is America’s own royalty, as close to that as we will get. The house has 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces. Now that is just amazing!
George Vanderbilt had the dream to build this house and he did a magnificent job with it all, from the architecture to the gardens. The audio tour tells all about the men who helped bring about this dream as well, the architect and the garden mastermind. It’s something to behold, The Biltmore House in all her glory! Just standing in this spot and gazing across the lush green lawn to this magnificent home is quite awe-inspiring. After watching Downton Abbey, it made me appreciate this home all the more. I had only visited the Biltmore one time back in 2011 for a blog event and loved it then too.
The main gates coming to the Biltmore House.
The architecture on this stone house is truly amazing.
I would never get tired of seeing this beauty. I love the fact that the Biltmore family still owns the house and has turned it into a national treasure, with tours and events. This home certainly needs to be maintained and preserved forever.
Weddings are held here and this was the after of one.
A walkway covered with vines.
Those gorgeous mountains in NC, truly a beautiful state.
Outdoor fountain
We stopped in at the walled garden and conservatory, which I had not seen before. It’s a beautiful master planned garden which was such a treat to see.
Conservatory doors. This building dates back to when the house was built as well, late 1800’s.
Loved that herringbone brick sidewalk.
Inside the conservatory were all sorts of lush and tropical plants. The orchids were especially pretty and I couldn’t help taking lots of pics of them.
I’ve never been great with growing orchids, but maybe I should try another one. They sure are pretty!
Ahhh, look at the beautiful colors in the ones above.
So vivid and tropical.
We so enjoyed strolling through the conservatory and seeing all the plants grown at the Biltmore house.
Outside in the walled gardens, hundreds of daffodils are blooming.
Purple and yellow is a winning combo.
I loved the espalier trees growing against the walls.
Such a beautiful garden to see in person. I imagine that it changes with each season, with things blooming all the time.
Me and Vicki taking advantage of a photo op at the gardens. We were cold, but it was too pretty not to see.
Parker Andes, one of the main horticulturists at the gardens has been with them for 14 years, I think he said. He obviously loves his job and was an enthusiastic tour guide for us, telling us the history and how things have evolved over the years.
The gardeners cottage. Not a bad place at all.
On the vast grounds of the estate, many plants are blooming and looking beautiful during spring, like this forsythia.
Looking from outside the walled garden back inside.
It was a magical day and tour and we loved every minute of it. I’m so glad I got to tour the Biltmore house again and do a walk through of the gardens. If you have never been to the Biltmore House in Asheville, NC, I would certainly tell you to go. It’s an amazing place, so awe-inspiring and beautiful!
Spring is the perfect time to go!
I would cry tears of joy if I saw all of those beautiful daffodils in one place. My grandmother always grew daffodils in masses, so it reminds me of her! I was at the Biltmore once, but don’t remember seeing so many beautiful flowers!
Such beautiful photos. I would love to visit one day it has been on my list for a few years. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Love Biltmore House! Several years ago I took my mom and aunt and we stayed at the Inn at Biltmore Estate. If you want to be pampered, that is the place to stay. The grounds were beautiful and flowers were outstanding as always. The only season I have not been is around the Christmas Holidays and that is on my to-do list at least once. The estate itself is amazing, especially to think that most folks were living in cabins like those in Cades Cove in Gatlinburg at the time. Thank you for sharing the pictures with us Rhoda. I’m so glad you were able to spend a nice day there.
“BamaCarol” the last time I went to Biltmore was for the Christmas Tour season (my 50th birthday gift from my husband) and to say it was spectacular would be an under-statement. The decorations are not to be believed and the tree in the dining room is overwhelming. I highly recommend the visit. Yes, on that visit we stayed at the inn. Indeed, it was special.
My sister & I visited the Biltmore Estate in late April a few years ago. The gardens were breath taking! Dogwoods, redbuds, azaleas, tulips were in full bloom! I’ll never forget it. And the house was pretty awesome too. I would love to go in the summer & see the change in the gardens.
My niece & I are going May 4th.
I visited there with my parents when I was a child (probably mid-1970’s), and fell in love with the place. The main dining room just fascinated me – I couldn’t imagine knowing that many people! The gardens were gorgeous then just as they are now. It’s truly a national treasure; I too am glad that the family has maintained its grace and beauty.
Thank y0u for continuing to share beauty with us through places and yourself with your wonderful blog, Rhoda. Just sat down with a pot of tea for a “visit” with you, which always makes me feel encouraged. What an amazing place the Biltmore is!
Thanks for the pics. Biltmore is the largest privately owned home in the U.S. (Imagine those property taxes!) They have been offering summer discounts for age 16 and under; getting in free. If you visit on a weekend, be sure to eat at Deerpark Restaurant on the property….unsure if they are open during the week.
http://www.biltmore.com/visit/things-to-do/dining/deerpark-restaurant
My daughter and I have season passes. We go in every season. Each one has it’s advantages. It has been interesting watching the changes inside the house as they discover things written in letters from one member of the family to another. If you have a chance go during the Christmas season, The house is beautifully decorated then. We were able to walk down into the garden inside the house the last time we were there.
Margaret, Please share some of the changes you are referring to.
I am blessed to live in Asheville, NC. What a nice reminder of all the beauty that surrounds me daily. Every season at the Biltmore House offers something spectacular to its visitors!
Love , Love the Biltmore House… and the entire estate!!! Such an amazing part of American History!!! We have been several times over the past few years… but we never get enough !! Hopefully, a return visit is in the near future…. Love the audio tour… really gives you a better understanding of where you really are and what went on in different areas of this beautiful and stately home!!!!! Thank you Rhoda!!!
Rhoda: you may already know this, but many scenes from “The Last of the Mohicans” with Daniel Day-Lewis were filmed on the grounds of Biltmore and much of it in the surrounding Pisgah National forest. In particular is a lovely scene with a British carriage crossing a brick bridge over a creek – the one on the grounds of the Biltmore. Ahh…that was a lovely film.
I had forgotten that, thanks for the reminder! I love Asheville and the surrounding area. If I ever move, I want it to be to that part of the country. To me it is a peaceful area but has a lot going on that you can do. Love all the artists in the community and have several pieces of art in our home from trips to Asheville.
Thanks for sharing the beautiful gardens-lovely. We were at the Biltmore for Christmas and went on the candlelight tour. It was magestic, as is the whole property. Such a grand place to tour.
Hi Rhoda,
I seem to be having a problem receiving any blog I subscribe to that is delivered by Feedburner, including yours. I believe this started around Christmas, when I was too busy to read blogs. About a month ago, I realized all my lovely and entertaining blogs were nowhere to be found in my email. I tried to remember all the ones I read, went to the blogs, and resubscribed. I got the blogs for about a week or two, and now they have disappeared again. I’m wondering if anyone else is having this problem?
HI, Rhonda, yes there is a widespread problem with Feedburner. I’ve implemented a fix that I hope will change it starting tomorrow, so I’m anxious to see if everyone gets emails for tomorrow’s post. I’m hoping my fix works! It’s happening all over blogland.
Thank you so much for your help! I’ve missed all those beautiful blogs!
FYI the landscape architect for Biltmore Estate was Frederick Law Olmsted who was also the landscape architect for Central Park in New York City as well as many, many other projects throughout the country including many college campuses. It is truly a national treasure!
I have also been to the Biltmore House and like you I thought it was beautiful. Last fall I took a long week-end trip along with three other girl friends and we had a blast. I loved being there with the girl friends looking and looking, shopping and eating. My husband would not have enjoyed it like I did.
Beautiful photos Rhoda! I’ve been to the Biltmore House and gardens once in 2010. It’s truly a masterpiece. Biltmore is an American castle. Living in that house back in day would have scared me because it was so large and out in the middle of nowhere. I prefer smaller and cozy but I love looking at the splendid details of that house. Every detail is exquisite. Many of the Vanderbilt homes were torn down. It’s good that the family was able to preserve this national treasure. many of the Vanderbilts were extremely wasteful with their money and squandered the family fortunes to the point where they were no longer millionaires.
We are fortunate enough to live just a couple of hours away from The Biltmore and have visited several times. I am amazed every single time! I had to comment because the photos that you posted from your trip are nearly identical to photos I’ve shot there time and again. Of course, as beautiful as the photos are, they do not do justice to being there in person.