Did you spot these One Day 2024 filming locations like the Vennel Steps, Arthur’s Seat, St Vincent Street, Primrose Hill, the Savoy and the Adelphi, Santa Maria Beach, Worplesdon Station, Benington Lordship and Hatfield House, Piazza del Biscione, Charlton Lido, Queens Square and Primrose Hill?
One Day was filmed around Scotland, England, Italy and Greece, as we follow year after year of missed connections and most-romance.
Good-natured aspiring playwright, Emma (This Is Going To Hurt’s Amika Mod) meets aimless Dexter (The White Lotus’ Leo Woodall) on 15th July 1988 at their Edinburgh University graduation ball. We catch up with the pair every year on the same date, through a series of highs and lows as their relationship evolves.
The series was adapted from the 2009 David Nicholls novel. It’s already been made into a 2011 movie by Lone Scherfig, starring Anne Hathaway as Emma and Jim Sturgess as Dexter. But with 14 episodes to tell the story, the streamer’s 2024 adaptation has the chance to include more details.
Of course, that means more One Day filming locations in London, Edinburgh, the Home Counties, Greece and Italy too.
Where Was One Day 2024 Filmed?
Netflix’s One Day was filmed in Edinburgh University’s Old College, St Vincent Street, Vennel, Arthur’s Seat, Holyrood Park, Primrose Hill, Old Suffolk Punch in Hammersmith, restaurants in St James’s and Soho, Fire Nightclub in Vauxhall, the Adelphi, the Savoy, Old Hatfield, Benington Lordship, Rome’s Piazza del Biscione and Paros Island in Greece.
Filming took place across summer 2022 and early 2023, with the series first premiering on Netflix on 8th January 2024. These are some of the locations to look out for, from secret alleyways to major landmarks.
One Day 2024 Locations
Graduation Party
The One Day grad ball scene was filmed in Edinburgh University’s Old College quad. Designed by Robert Adam in 1789, it’s one of the university’s most distinctive buildings as well as housing several notable spaces.
Old College was transformed for One Day’s graduation party scene between 18th and 20th July 2022. This scene is set on 14th July, making it almost exactly accurate (and catching Edinburgh in summer, before the festival starts).
Edinburgh University Staircase
Old College Staircase. euphro, CC BY-SA 2.0
The stairs where Dexter and Emma sit in the graduation ball scene lead to Edinburgh University’s Playfair Library. They’re part of the university building, but you can visit! Look out for the events like the annual Doors Open Day, when the public can walk up these same stairs. It’s also used as an Edinburgh Fringe venue.
Emma and Tilly’s Flat on Rankeillor Street
Emma and Tilly’s (Amber Grappy) Edinburgh flat location is on Viewforth in Edinburgh. It’s lined with Victorian tenement buildings, making it a convincing location for Emma’s Rankeillor Street flat. However, it’s located in another part of town. Viewforth lies between Bruntsfield and Marchmont, and leads to the former industrial area of Fountainbridge. The real Rankeillor Street is just down the road from Old College, in the city’s Southside.
Arthur’s Seat
Arthurs Seat. Balise42, CC BY-SA 4.0
One Day 2024’s Arthur’s Seat location is the real Edinburgh landmark. The scene is set on 15th July and was filmed around the same time of year. In the first episode of the Netflix series, Emma and Dexter spend the morning together after meeting at the graduation ball. But Dexter drops Emma’s hand when they meet his friends, setting the tone for their on-off relationship.
This park is a must-see for many tourists, offering impressive views and the chance to stand on top of a real volcano. Particularly on a sunny day like Emma and Dexter’s morning together.
The Park
The park where Emma and Dexter talk about going to the pub is Holyrood Park. Arthur’s Seat is within the park, which sits alongside the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It’s also in easy walking distance of Edinburgh University buildings and halls of residence.
Dexter’s Edinburgh Flat
North East Circus Place by Richard Webb, CC BY-SA 2.0
Emma and Dexter are seen running down Edinburgh’s North East Circus Place. This pretty New Town street sits on the border of Stockbridge. It’s also just around the corner from Circus Lane – according to GetAgent, the UK’s most beautiful street.
Look out for the 1980s-style parking meters lining the road – these were added for the shoot. The real ones are long gone, and today’s Edinburgh residents are more likely to pay by app.
Edinburgh’s New Town
Emma crosses St Vincent Street after meeting Dexter’s parents (Essie Davis and Tim McInnerny), passing St Stephen’s Church. Designed by William Henry Playfair, the church is now St Stephen’s Theatre and is now home to the Sir Ian McKellen Theatre. From here, she walks along Great King Street.
Edinburgh’s Old Town
Emma is walking up from the Grassmarket via another Edinburgh One Day location, the Vennel. The top opens out onto Lauriston Place with Edinburgh College of Art on one side, and George Heriot’s School on the other.
This centuries-old school is said to have inspired Hogwarts. though the link has never been confirmed, the rumour is a popular one.
Roman Streets
Fontana dell’Acqua Paola. Randi Hausken from Bærum, Norway, CC BY-SA 2.0
Dexter is seen around Trastavere and Giancolo in Rome on 15th July 1989. The imposing fountain he passes is the Fontana dell’Acqua Paola on Via Garibaldi. It’s a real curiosity, made from stone taken from the old St Peter’s Basilica and marble from the Forum.
The Piazza
The Roman piazza where Dexter talks to his mum, Alison, before saying goodbye is the Piazza del Biscione, by the Campo de Fiori hotel. It looks like any typical piazza in the Italian capital, but it hides a hidden gem.
The piazza is situated close to the location of the first Roman theatre, now the site of the weird and wonderful Passetto del Biscione. This narrow passageway links up with via di Grottapinta, and is decorated with religious frescoes dating back to its 16th Century owners.
London Underground Stations
The Tube stations where Emma is seen in Netflix’s One Day series is King’s Cross Station and Clapton Overground Station. Both appear when Emma first moves to London in 1990, after her unsuccessful touring theatre career. Look out for the King’s Cross station pedestrian tunnels in the montage, along with a shot of Clapton station during the montage.
Loco Caliente
The Loco Caliente location in One Day is the Old Suffolk Punch in Hammersmith, London - unfortunately not a real Mexican restaurant. It’s been closed for some time, and is set to be redeveloped. After its time as Emma’s restaurant, of course.
Primrose Hill
Primrose Hill. Louise Ireland, CC BY-SA 2.0
The park where Emma meets Dexter on 15th July 1990 in Netflix’s One Day is Primrose Hill in London. In the scene, they argue about Emma “burying herself in quesadillas” instead of pushing ahead with her playwriting ambitions. Meanwhile, Emma pulls up Dexter on his new media career.
You can visit this London One Day filming location easily, for the same view of the BT Tower. It’s one of London’s Royal Parks to the north of Regent’s Park, where’s surrounded by a leafy residential neighbourhood.
It was once owned by Eton College, until it was purchased in 1840 for the use of everyday Londoners. Which is great news for visitors who want to catch Emma and Dexter’s views across the city, as you can just stroll up and enjoy. Apart from those London skyline views, you’ll find recreational areas, a kids’ playground and a café.
Greece
One Day’s Greece filming location is in Paros, one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea. In the 2024 Netflix adaptation, the Greek island is the location for Emma and Dexter’s 15th July 1991 holiday. The Greek scenes were filmed around Paros between September and October 2022.
Greek Beach
Santa Maria Beach. brunobarbato, CC BY 3.0
The Greek beach location in One Day 2024 is Santa Maria on the island of Paros, one of the Cyclades group. Santa Maria beach is where Dexter is recognised by the British tourists, as he and Emma start to get closer.
It’s a popular holiday spot with beach bars, sun umbrellas (though not the 1990s ones seen in the Netflix series) and views across to the island of Naxos.
Brixton Nightclub
The nightclub in One Day 2024 is Fire on South Lambeth Road in Vauxhall, where it’s housed within railway arches. Fire has been well-known on London’s nightclub scene for years, with a longstanding reputation for its gay club nights. In the Netflix series, Dexter parties in Brixton before visiting his mum on 15th July 1992.
Note that in the Greek holiday scenes, Dexter mentions kissing a guy in a Vauxhall nightclub. We don’t see the club, but this could be the real life equivalent.
Radley Station
Worplesdon Railway Station. Ron Strutt, CC BY-SA 2.0
The train station filming location in One Day is Worplesdon Station by Mayford, near Woking. It’s on the line between London Waterloo and Portsmouth and Southsea, served by South Western Railway. Dexter could indeed travel from his family home in the country to London from this station.
Emma and Ian’s Restaurant Date
The restaurant location where Emma and Ian (Jonny Weldon) have their first date is Smith & Wollensky steakhouse in London’s Adelphi. The building sits between the Strand and John Adam Street, just a few paces from Covent Garden and Leicester Square.
Ian and Emma’s Kiss
The London street location where Emma and Ian first kiss in One Day is Carting Lane. It slopes down from the Strand to the Victoria Embankment, with the Savoy on one side. Carting Lane is also just around the corner from John Adam Street and Smith & Wollensky.
Victoria Embankment
Victoria Embankment. Txllxt TxllxT, CC BY-SA 4.0
After their first kiss, Ian and Emma are seen on the Embankment, before travelling to Ian’s flat as we hear Dexter’s voicemail. This popular London filming location has appeared in countless movies and TV series – and it also makes geographical sense in One Day. Emma and Ian walk downhill, taking them away from the Strand and in the direction of the River Thames.
Dexter and Emma in London
Dexter and Emma reunite in Soho before walking north through Queens Square, passing the Queen’s Larder pub on the way to dinner. This puts them in Bloomsbury, in reasonable walking distance from Soho.
Emma and Dexter’s Upmarket Restaurant
The upmarket restaurant location in One Day is Quaglino’s at 16 Bury Street in St James’s, London. In the scene, Emma walks out on Dexter after watching him behave increasingly badly, with his reaction to the frozen fish as the final straw. We think the layout comes close to the description of the restaurant in David Nicholls’ novel, making it easily believable as the setting.
Tilly’s Wedding
Hatfield House. Acabashi, CC BY-SA 4.0
In the Netflix One Day adaptation, the filming location for Tilly’s wedding is Hatfield House in Hertfordshire. This Grade I-listed house dates back four centuries, to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. But nowadays it’s a popular visitor attraction, filming location and yes, a real wedding venue.
You can find Hatfield House in more recent Netflix shows including Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story and The Crown.
Sylvie’s Home
The country house location where Sylvie and her parents, Helen (Joely Richardson) and Lionel (Toby Stephens) live is Benington Lordship near Stevenage. It’s just one of the Hertfordshire filming locations in One Day.
Benington Lordship Gardens is open to visitors (check the website for details), with a 7-acre garden to explore.
The Savoy
London - Savoy Hotel by Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0
The hotel where Dexter’s girlfriend, Sylvie (Eleanor Tomlinson), is seen is London’s Savoy on the Strand. It’s located practically next door to the Adelphi, which appeared earlier in the Netlfix miniseries. This luxury hotel has appeared onscreen many times, including in 2022’s See How They Run.
Natural Stuff
The location for Callum’s (Brendan Quinn) takeaway deli, Natural Stuff, is Maoz at 43 Old Compton Street in Soho. It’s a real takeaway, serving Middle Eastern snacks and street food like humous, falafel, and halloumi bowls.
The Lido
The London lido filming location in One Day is Charlton Lido in Hornfair Park, Greenwich. Late in the series, Emma is seen swimming at this outdoor pool before leaving to meet Dexter for the house viewing.
If you want to visit this One Day lido location, you’ll find an Olympic-sized heated pool.
Dexter’s Belleville Café
The real cafe from One Day 2024 is Maison Bleue in on the corner of Corsica Street and Calabria Road in Highbury. London World caught filming in progress, back in January 2023.
The production team added signage to turn Calabria Road into Trinity Road for Netflix’s One Day. And locals were quick to spot the ‘not a café’ sign, warning off coffee-hunters that real lattes weren’t on offer during the shoot.
It’s not the first time the area has been featured in an adaptation of the David Nicholls book. One Day 2011 was also filmed in Islington, featuring an extensive list of locations from Granville Road to the Holloway Road Odeon.