The villa, surrounded by a park and looking out onto the Ionian sea is in a beautiful position. It was built in the 19th-century as a gift from British Commissioner Frederic Adams to his Corfiot wife, Nina Palatianou. Since then it has housed British governors and has been the birthplace of several royals, including Princess Sophie of Greece and Denmark, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Alexia of Greece and Denmark.

The museums has historical documents, furniture and decorative objects from the 19th-century and a collection of watercolours and botanical samples illustrating the natural heritage of Corfu. But of greater interest are the archeological finds, from the ruins in the  surrounding area, which include The Temple of Hera or Heraion, an archaic temple  built around 610 BC and one of the best examples of  archaic Greek architecture. Close by sites include a Venetian fountain and what remains of the 5th century BC Doric temple built in honour of Apollo.

Exploring the ruins in the grounds is the real plus of the visit.