Follow in Durrell’s footsteps on Corfu 

The beach

Agios  Spyridon beach and nearby  Antiniotissa  – aka the ‘lake of lilies’ up in the far north east of the island – were favoured picnic spots for Durrell and his nature-loving family. To this day, both play host to  thriving  eco systems  and a dazzling array of beautiful bird life.

The walk

Make tracks for the sandy shore in the beautiful mountainside coastal village of Barbati. From there, pick one of the trails that head into Corfu’s wild exterior, fragrant with citrus and cypress-fringed valleys – exactly as abundant and gorgeous as it was in Durrell’s day.

The Durrells' former home is now a taverna and holiday villa / Image: Giannis Karnikis (Joka Juniors)

The taverna

The whole messy Durrell clan, including 10-year-old Gerald, his widowed mother, oldest brother Larry, gun-mad Leslie, and diet-fanatic sister Margo – not forgetting Roger the loyal family dog – once called The White House on Corfu home.

The cave

Nancy and Larry Durrell scandalously swam nude in the deep clear waters by the old shrine of St  Arsenius, in the area just along from Krouzeri  Beach – Lawrence later breathlessly recalled that they felt ‘baptised anew’. Find it  near Agni Bay.

Stroll along the beach for lunch at Toula's / Image: Alamy

The meal

Treat yourself to an indulgent lunchtime ‘bourdeto’ – described memorably by gifted writer Larry as ‘eel meat with red sauce’, a proper  old-school  Corfu speciality served at beloved Agni beach restaurant Toula’s.