Although George Vanderbilt bought 128,000 acres, at his death in his 1914, his widow needed operating funds for Biltmore.  She very cleverly negotiated with the US government to buy thousands of acres and to designate that land as a US forest reserve, the Pisgah Forest.  Currently, the estate still owns 8,000 acres but seems much larger with the forest around it.

The grounds surrounding the house are at different levels and several distinct garden areas.

On this side of the house is a vast raised area.  Looking at the house, there is a huge covered arbor.

The family would have walked out this door into the shady arbor.

Presently, numerous benches allow day visitors to sit in a fairly cool spot.

Look at the size of the trunks of the Wisteria vines.

Looking through the side of the staircase going down to another area, one can see a vast level area that is about 40 or 50 feet above the ground.

There are gravel walking paths and a few patches of grass with classical statues.

Notice the garb of an ancient Greek.

The whole platform is approximately one half or more of a football field.  Excellent viewing area off into the distance.

Behind this statue, a lower garden can be seen.

On the oppose side of flat area is a view of the country side, including the forest in the background.

The roof has intricate designs.  Both inside and out, every area of the house was thought out in depth.  And no expense spared.

Heading back up the stairs from the viewing area..

And then down the stairs away from the arbor courtyard into a garden. Another Wisteria arbor to the right over a pathway leads to other gardens.

The vines aren’t as thick over this arbor, so I’m guessing that it was recently trimmed.

The people in the picture are heading into a wooded garden.

Along the wall under this arbor are water spouts provided a soothing and cooling sound of water splashing.

Continuing straight ahead from the stairs is a rather formal garden layout.

With more Greek style statues.

Wonder if all these statues were imported?

Walking along the gravel made me think of all those ladies that visited in the late 1800’s with their long skirts dragging the ground.  How hot they must have been.

There are various types of water irises.

And a few waterlilies.

Gorgeous water Iris with deep purple.

To see some of the inside of the house, view my previous post.

“Politicans are a lot like longhorns.  You’ve got a point over here and a point over there.  And a whole lot of bull in the middle.”  unknown