Belle Meade is a splendid part of Nashville, home to affluent households as well as to the Belle Meade Plantation – one of the most successful plantations in America and a leading horse-breeding farm. It is now a haven for foodies and wine-lovers.
The plantation was created by John Giles Harding when he bought 101 hectares of land near Richland Creek back in 1807. When you arrive, make sure you admire the stone bridge at the entrance, which immediately sets the tone of grandeur, a recurrent theme at this lavish home. The original Federal-style home was built in the 1820s, and through the decades came to be renovated into the Greek Revival-style mansion which remains today.
The site still bears the scars of the Civil War. Spot bullet holes in the towering columns at the front of the mansion, which are proof of the battle that happened on the fields of the estate. In the rooms and corridors of the building, you'll find historic family treasures, including antique furniture from Tennessee as well as impressive paintings of some of the thoroughbreds of the estate which were painted by famous artists from the period.
The estate once spanned across 2,000 hectares. However, today it is only a fraction of its historic size, at around 12 hectares. You will still find so much to explore, so make sure you wear comfortable footwear. Pay a visit to the dairy, horse stables, carriage house, mausoleum and original log cabin. Tours are held every day, led by knowledgeable guides in period attire, who will tell you more about life on the site.
After all of that exploration, sit down for a Southern-style meal at Harding House. If you're a wine-lover, the plantation's winery is definitely worth a visit. You can also head to the gift shop for quality craft items.
Situated 10 kilometres to the west of Nashville, the Belle Mead Plantation is on the Tennessee Antebellum Trail. If you're driving, you can also park free of charge.
