The Durrells in Corfu: A Complete Guide to Their Story and Filming Locations

Mrs Durrell and three of her offspring – Leslie, Margot and Gerald – arrived in Corfu in 1935, seeking an escape from the drab English weather and economic constraints of post-Depression England. Lawrence, the eldest sibling and already an aspiring writer, had arrived a few months earlier with his wife at the time, Nancy, drawn by the island's literary reputation and affordable Mediterranean lifestyle.

The decision to relocate to Corfu wasn't entirely spontaneous. The family had been struggling financially in Bournemouth, and the idea of living cheaply in the Greek sunshine, where their modest income could stretch much further, proved irresistible. What began as a practical solution to their financial woes became a transformative period that would shape both brothers' literary careers and Gerald's lifelong passion for wildlife conservation.

Whilst Mrs Durrell settled into a "strawberry-pink villa" just outside Corfu Town, Lawrence and Nancy moved 10 miles up the coast to the tiny hamlet of Kalami Bay, where they took up residence at the White House.

In his ode to Corfu, Prospero's Cell, Lawrence describes his beloved home in some detail:

"We have taken an old fisherman's house in the extreme north of the island... it offers all the charms of seclusion… A white house, set like a dice in a rock already venerable with the scars of wind and water. The hill runs clear up into the sky behind it, so that the cypresses and olives overhang this room in which I sit and write."

The White House wasn't just a residence; it became Lawrence's creative sanctuary. Here, surrounded by the dramatic coastline and traditional Greek island life, he penned much of Prospero's Cell, his lyrical tribute to Corfu that would later be hailed as one of the finest travel books ever written.

For the next four years, the Durrells lived an enchanted, exotic life, far from the drab dreariness of England. They made Corfiot friends, including the booming taxi-driving, American-accented Spiro, the erudite Theodore Stephanides, and Maria Kondos - a maid with whom Leslie would later have an affair and a child.

The Durrell family's time in Corfu coincided with a golden age of expatriate life on the Greek islands. The cost of living was remarkably low, the local population was welcoming to foreigners, and the natural beauty was unspoiled by mass tourism. For young Gerald, aged just 10 when the family arrived, Corfu became an enormous outdoor classroom where his fascination with the natural world could flourish without the constraints of formal education.

The family's daily life was a blend of British eccentricity and Greek island rhythms. Mornings might begin with Gerald collecting specimens in rock pools, while Lawrence worked on his writing in the cool shade of the olive trees. Afternoons were for swimming in the crystal-clear waters of the Ionian Sea, and evenings for long dinners on vine-covered terraces, often accompanied by local friends and the occasional visiting intellectual drawn to Lawrence's growing reputation as a writer.

The idyll couldn't last forever. With the outbreak of the 2nd World War, Mother Durrell and her three younger children returned to England in 1939. Lawrence and Nancy stayed on for a while but were forced to flee as the Axis powers swept through Greece in 1941.

The TV series is based on Gerald's Corfu Trilogy, an autobiography in three volumes: My Family and Other Animals (1956), Birds, Beasts and Relatives (1969), and The Garden of the Gods (1978). These books sold in their millions and catapulted the Durrell family to worldwide fame. They also contributed significantly to Corfu's rise as a popular holiday destination.

Gerald's writing style was uniquely accessible, combining scientific observation with humor and genuine affection for both the animals he studied and the colorful human characters he encountered. His books introduced millions of readers to the concept of wildlife conservation at a time when environmental awareness was just beginning to emerge.

Gerald's fascination with animals and the natural world flowered during his time in Corfu. He became a renowned conservationist and owner of a zoo on Jersey. For him, writing was something of a sideline: for his brother, Lawrence, it was an art.

Prospero's Cell, Lawrence's homage to Corfu, its people, its traditions, its myths, and its history, was published in 1945. It is at once poetic ("cool as the breath from the heart of a melon"), thought-provoking, curious and exquisitely nostalgic.

The book stands as more than just a travel memoir; it's a meditation on place, belonging, and the transformative power of landscape. Lawrence's prose captures not just the physical beauty of Corfu, but its emotional and spiritual essence. His descriptions of village festivals, local characters, and the rhythms of island life create a vivid portrait of a vanished world.

Lawrence became one of England's greatest authors of the 20th century - after publishing The Alexandria Quartet in 1962, he was shortlisted for the Nobel Prize in Literature alongside John Steinbeck, Robert Graves and Jean Anouilh.

The White House, his beloved home on Corfu, still stands at the head of Kalami Bay. Now a café, bar and taverna, we warmly recommend you stop off for a drink or two, ideally with a copy of Prospero's Cell in hand. The building has been carefully preserved, maintaining much of its original character while serving as both a literary pilgrimage site and a working restaurant.

Visitors today can sit on the same terrace where Lawrence wrote, looking out over the same views that inspired Prospero's Cell. The taverna serves traditional Greek cuisine, and the walls are decorated with photographs and memorabilia from the Durrell years, creating an authentic connection to this remarkable period in literary history.

The success of the ITV series brought renewed attention to Corfu's connection with the Durrell family. Filming took place across multiple iconic locations:

Corfu Town - the island's photogenic UNESCO World Heritage Site capital is one of the stars of the show. The Venetian architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, and bustling harbor provide the perfect backdrop for the family's shopping expeditions and encounters with local bureaucracy.

Kalami Bay - home not only of the White House, but also our villas Jasmine and Josephine House. The bay's crystal-clear waters and dramatic mountain backdrop make it one of Corfu's most photographed locations.

Agni Bay - just around the headland from Kalami, Agni Bay boasts a lovely beach and three excellent seafront tavernas. The bay appears in several episodes as a swimming and dining location.

Agios Stefanos - a picturesque bay and village in the northeastern corner of Corfu. Our villa Daphne is just around the headland. The village's traditional architecture and peaceful atmosphere epitomize the Greece that captivated the Durrells.

Kontokali - the Durrell's idyllic home in the TV series is near Gouvia on the Kontokali peninsula. This location was chosen for its privacy and stunning sea views.

Mon Repos - a grand villa to the south of Corfu Town, famous for being the birthplace of the Duke of Edinburgh. The estate's magnificent gardens and neoclassical architecture provided the setting for several key scenes.

Danilia Village - just to the west of Gouvia, Danilia is a privately-owned reconstruction of a traditional 1930s Corfiot village. There's a church, a coffee house, and a couple of tavernas.

For visitors seeking to experience the magic that captivated the Durrell family, we offer an exceptional collection of luxury villas in the very locations that shaped their extraordinary story.

The Durrell family's influence on Corfu extends far beyond their four-year residence. Gerald's books introduced millions of readers to the island, contributing significantly to its development as a premier Mediterranean destination. However, this growth has been carefully managed to preserve the natural beauty and authentic character that originally attracted the family.

Today's visitors can still experience much of what captivated the Durrells: crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling, traditional tavernas serving fresh seafood and local wine, and landscapes largely unchanged since the 1930s. The island has managed to embrace tourism while maintaining its essential Greek character, something that would surely have pleased both brothers.

Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) offer the perfect balance of warm weather, fewer crowds, and the kind of golden light that made Corfu so photogenic in the TV series. These seasons also provide excellent walking weather for exploring the coastal paths and mountain villages that featured in the Durrell story.

• Visit the White House: Now a taverna, this is where Lawrence wrote Prospero's Cell
• Explore Corfu Town: Wander the UNESCO-listed old town with its Venetian influences
• Beach hopping: Experience the pristine beaches of Kalami, Agni, and Agios Stefanos
• Local tavernas: Dine at traditional establishments serving the kind of simple, fresh cuisine the family enjoyed
• Boat trips: Take to the water to see the coastline from the sea, as the Durrells often did

The story of the Durrell family's enchanted years in Corfu continues to captivate audiences nearly a century after their arrival on the island. Their legacy is more than just literary; it represents a perfect example of how travel can transform lives, inspire creativity, and foster a deep appreciation for different cultures and environments.

Today's visitors to Corfu can still experience much of what drew the Durrells to this magical island. The crystalline waters still sparkle under the Mediterranean sun, traditional tavernas continue to serve fresh seafood and local wine, and the dramatic landscapes remain largely unchanged. The island has managed the delicate balance of welcoming tourism while preserving its authentic Greek character – something that would surely have pleased both Gerald and Lawrence.

Whether you're drawn by the literary connections, the stunning natural beauty, or simply the promise of that legendary Greek hospitality, Corfu offers an experience that goes far beyond a typical holiday. It's a chance to step into a story that has enchanted millions, to walk in the footsteps of one of literature's most beloved families, and to discover for yourself why this island continues to work its magic on visitors from around the world.

From the luxury of our carefully selected villas to the simple pleasure of a sunset drink at the White House taverna, every moment in Corfu connects you to a larger story of family, creativity, and the transformative power of place. The Durrells found their paradise here, and nearly nine decades later, that same sense of wonder and possibility awaits every visitor who makes the journey to this extraordinary island.

In the words of Lawrence Durrell himself, Corfu offers "the kind of landscape that seems to generate its own mythology." Come and discover your own chapter in the continuing story of this remarkable place.