10 Enchanting Fairytale Castles And Historic Mansions Hiding In Tennessee
Tennessee’s rolling hills hide architectural gems straight out of storybooks. Victorian mansions and medieval-inspired castles showcase the state’s rich history and design splendor.
Grab your camera and sense of wonder to explore these enchanting estates that turn fairytale dreams into real-life discoveries.
1. Falcon Rest Mansion & Gardens
Known locally as ‘Tennessee’s Biltmore,’ this Victorian mansion dazzles visitors with its period furnishings and manicured gardens.
Brought to life back in 1896 by entrepreneur Clay Faulkner, the 10,000-square-foot home boasts original gasoliers converted to electricity and a fascinating history of ghosts.
Visitors can enjoy guided tours, tea parties, and murder mystery events that bring the mansion’s colorful past to life.
2. Ashlar Hall
Standing mysteriously in Memphis, this Gothic-Revival castle with its crenelated towers seems straight from a dark fairytale.
Constructed in 1896 using limestone and cypress, the mansion earned its nickname ‘The Castle’ for obvious reasons.
After years of neglect and serving as a notorious nightclub, preservation efforts now aim to restore this architectural oddity to its former glory for future generations to appreciate.
3. Sam Davis Home
Stepping onto the grounds feels like traveling back to the 1850s when this plantation was in its heyday.
Once home to Confederate hero Sam Davis, who was hanged as a spy at age 21, the beautifully preserved Greek Revival house sits on 160 acres.
Beyond the main house, visitors can explore original outbuildings including a smokehouse, kitchen, and slave quarters that provide authentic glimpses into pre-Civil War Tennessee life.
4. Beasley Castle
Rising unexpectedly from suburban Franklin, this whimsical stone castle was built by musician Jody Beasley as his personal recording studio and residence.
Complete with turrets, battlements, and even a moat, this modern-day fortress showcases one man’s determination to live his fairytale dream.
While not regularly open for public tours, glimpses of its stone walls and towers from nearby roads make for a delightful surprise in this otherwise conventional neighborhood.
5. Hundred Oaks Castle
What began as a simple farmhouse in 1830 transformed into a magnificent castle when New York financier Issac Thweatt added Gothic-inspired towers and battlements.
Located in Winchester, the castle suffered years of abandonment before a nonprofit organization began restoration efforts.
Visitors during special events marvel at original features like hand-carved woodwork and imported Italian marble while supporting ongoing preservation of this architectural fantasy.
6. Castle Gwynn
Inspired by 12th-century Welsh border castles, photographer Mike Freeman began building this fairytale fortress in 1980 and continues expanding it today.
Featuring authentic stone towers, a drawbridge, and medieval-inspired interiors, this labor of love serves as both residence and photography studio.
Famous as the centerpiece of the Tennessee Renaissance Festival each May, lucky visitors can tour portions of this remarkable modern castle during the annual event.
7. Belmont Mansion
Adelicia Acklen, one of America’s wealthiest women in the 1860s, spared no expense creating this Italian villa-style summer home in Nashville.
Lavish gardens once featured marble statues, gazebos, and even a private zoo with bears and monkeys entertaining guests.
Now sitting at the heart of Belmont University’s campus, the meticulously restored mansion showcases original furnishings and artwork that reflect the sophisticated tastes of its remarkable female owner.
8. Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
Walking the grounds where America’s seventh president once strode feels surprisingly intimate despite the estate’s grandeur.
Jackson’s beloved Greek Revival mansion sits on 1,120 acres that once formed his thriving cotton plantation, where he returned after his presidency.
Meticulously preserved rooms contain 95% original furnishings, offering an authentic glimpse into the controversial president’s personal life beyond the history books that often divide opinion about his legacy.
9. Rattle and Snap Plantation
Legend claims this magnificent mansion earned its unusual name from a game of chance won with the snap of playing cards.
Built in 1845 by George Polk, the plantation’s Corinthian columns and hand-carved marble mantels showcase the immense wealth generated from its 5,700 acres.
Architectural enthusiasts marvel at what many consider the finest example of Greek Revival architecture in Tennessee, with its perfect proportions and exquisite details preserved through careful restoration.
10. Trousdale Place
Governor William Trousdale, known as ‘The War Horse of Sumner County,’ welcomed politicians and dignitaries to this Federal-style mansion throughout the 19th century.
The home features elegant curved staircases and original furnishings that survived both the Civil War and passage of time.
Maintained by the United Daughters of the Confederacy since 1900, the house museum offers insights into Tennessee politics during the state’s formative years through guided tours and special events.
