What is it like to live in a grand estate or a castle? Biltmore Estate is one of the few remaining American mansions that lays it all out there, from the bowling alley to servant’s hall to the music room filled with antiques. Built in 1895, this lavish home is the closest thing to Downton Abbey we have here in the U.S. No doubt the standards of service were much the same as they would have been for English nobility during the same time period, with servant’s entrances and halls secluded from those of the family’s.

Via/ Flickr

Via/ Flickr

There seems to be no area of this historic estate that isn’t photogenic. Via/ Flickr

Via/ Flickr

The atrium is an enchanting space. Via/ Flickr

The music room houses some lovely antique instruments. Via/ Flickr