The Durrells is a British Comedy Drama that was filmed in Corfu and ran for a total of four series on ITV. It is an adaptation of naturalist Gerald Durrell’s trilogy of autobiographical books. These tell the real-life story of the four years that he lived in Corfu from 1935 until 1939 with his widowed mother Louisa and his eccentric family.
The Drama was an instant hit from the very first episode. Corfu contributed to that success with its wild countryside, architecture, olive groves, wildlife, blue sky and clear sea. As the episodes are repeated, viewers all over the world are either reminded or introduced to the beauty of Corfu.
Location List of Where Was The Durrells Filmed on Corfu
The Durrells was partly filmed on the island of Corfu itself. Most of the outdoor scenes were filmed around the island adding to the authenticity, while most of the interior scenes were filmed at Ealing Studios and Twickenham Studios in London.
Some locations you will be able to visit and some unfortunately not. There are a number of them on private land or are not open to visitors.
We will try to list as many of the filming locations we know of where was the Durrells filmed in Corfu. Click on the links below for more information or a detailed list of locations in each section.
- Kontokali: The idyllic Durrells House in the TV series is located here.
- Corfu Town: Multiple locations (Detailed List)
- Danillia Village: A privately-owned reconstruction of a traditional 1930s Corfiot village.
- Mon Repos: The Grand villa and grounds once owned by the Greek Royal Family
- Many other locations: Cape Drastis, Giannades,
Feel free to contact us via our Contact Us page if there is a location you have seen on the series that you love to visit but don’t know where it is. If we can shed some light on your question then we send you the details.
The Durrells House
The Actual house used in the series is located in Kontokali. Just the outside and surrounding land were used in the series as the inside of the house was in a run-down state at the time of filming. Since then with the popularity of the series the house and its surroundings were renovated and now named Villa Posillipo and is available for anybody to rent as a private villa. As a villa is situated on private land, visits are unfortunately not permitted. However, you can catch a glimpse of it from the beaches of Sotiriotisa or Kondokali.
The iconic Durrells house where was the durrells filmed in the series wasn’t their true residence during their time in Corfu. Over their four-year stay, they lived in various properties, among them the Strawberry Pink Villa in Perama and the Daffodil Yellow Villa in Kontokali ( not too far from Villa Posillipo, hidden in a garden of trees above the busy road out of Corfu Town). These charming abodes, not far from Villa Posillipo, nestled amid verdant gardens above the bustling thoroughfare leading out of Corfu Town. Today, both villas have undergone renovation and are open for rental, offering visitors the chance to experience a piece of the Durrells’ Corfu adventure during their holiday.
Instead of staying with their mother, Lawrence and Nancy opted to relocate ten miles up the coast to Kalami Bay, where they settled into the White House. This picturesque villa, like many of the Durrell dwellings that remain intact, is also listed for rental on Booking.com.
The Books The TV Series is Based On
The TV series is based on Gerald Durrell’s Corfu Trilogy,
a series of three autobiographical books that recount his childhood and early experiences on the Greek island of Corfu. The three books in the Corfu Trilogy are:
- “My Family and Other Animals” (1956): This is the first book in the trilogy and is perhaps the most famous. It tells the story of Durrell’s idyllic childhood on Corfu, where he and his eccentric family encountered a variety of colourful characters and had numerous adventures with the local wildlife.
- “Birds, Beasts, and Relatives” (1969): The second book in the trilogy continues to follow the Durrell family’s escapades on Corfu. It delves into their interactions with the local population and their continuing fascination with the island’s flora and fauna.
- “The Garden of the Gods” (1978): The final book in the Corfu Trilogy explores Durrell’s later experiences on the island, including his attempts to establish his own zoo and his growing interest in natural history and conservation.
These books are known for their humour, wit, and vivid descriptions of the natural world, making them beloved classics of both the memoir and nature writing genres. Gerald Durrell’s Corfu Trilogy offers a delightful glimpse into his early life and his passion for wildlife and the environment.
The Durrells series is only loosely based on Gerald Durrell’s three autobiographical books and takes the story as it is seen from the viewpoint of Louisa Durrell.
FAQ about where the Durrells Were filmed in Corfu.
Can I visit The Durrells house in Corfu?
The house and surrounding land in the TV series are privately owned so the public can’t visit it. The beautiful Venetian Villa can be seen from Sotiriotisa beach or from the sea via a boat trip. Since the series concluded the house has been renovated and named Posillipo and is available to rent as a private villa.
What village did the Durrells live in Corfu?
Louisa and the Durrell family lived in Kondokali not too far from the house used in the TV series. Lawrence Durrell and his wife on the other hand lived in Kalami a small village further to the north. The TV series doesn’t follow the real-life living situation of the family.
If you missed or would like to rewatch The Durrells the Complete series is available on Amazon as Pay Per View or as a complete DVD Set. Also Available is the Corfu Trilogy in paperback. This includes My Family and Other Animals, The Garden of the Gods and Birds, Beasts, and Relatives.