A look at: The Outernet

The Outernet London is an ‘entertainment district’ located next to Tottenham Court Road Station at the top of Charing Cross Road. The ‘district’ consists of a number of different businesses and attractions, including music venues, bars and restaurants.

The big draw for families with children are three areas where there are giant display screens that are generally open to the public and which show various short films and interactive displays. Entrance is free and unticketed. The three main spaces in the Outernet that have screens that families can visit are:

• Now Building
• Now Trending
• Now Arcade

There are also two small pop-up spaces for brand collaborations, but these generally have less to see.

Below, we explore a bit more about each of the various areas and what there is to see there for families.

Now Building

The main draw is The Now Building, which features enormous wraparound LED screens that create 360-degree digital environments in a two storey space.

The Now Building features a rotating series of displays, each ranging in duration but usually no more than 10 minutes long. These might be artist collaborations, abstract moving images or seasonal ‘shows’. Whatever is on display, children (and adults) will love the colourful, ever-changing displays on show.

Occasionally the Now Building will host tie-ins with brands, for example, see our TikTok from when there was a special Lion King musical tie-in and some of the stage show costumes were available to see in cases in front of a Lion King-themed digital display. Look out for what’s on when you visit!

Now Trending

Just across from the Now Building, Now Trending is a more intimate immersive space than the Now Building (it is smaller and the ceiling is less high), but it is similar in nature. Its wrap around screens allow for interactivity with many of its displays.

The ‘shows’ in the Now Building and Now Trending rotate regularly. A schedule as to what’s on screen is published online, so you can check what you might be able see in advance. Although both are usually open from 10am until past 11pm, do check opening times in advance as there are times when they are closed for private events.

Both the Now Building and Now Trending are fully accessible for those with pushchairs and prams and both have places to sit down for those with tired legs.

The Butterfly Trail

One of the most popular recurring ‘shows’ at the Now Building and Now Trending is The Butterfly Trail.

The Butterfly Trail is a 10 minute long mixed reality experience that usually shows at least once an hour but which may show several times an hour during the middle of the day. Whether in the Now Building or Now Trending, you will find yourself standing in the middle of a glasshouse purportedly belonging to the professor who discovered a magical flock of butterflies in Peru. Flitting across the various screens, you can spot digital butterflies and plants growing up the digital walls.

On the screens will be QR codes which lead you to an augmented reality website that allows you to see butterflies landing on your fingers or palms (this also works outside of the Butterfly Trail area – just follow this link on your mobile). The show is accompanied by an audio track but the main attraction are the visuals, and you do not need to understand the audio to enjoy the show.

Now Arcade

Perhaps the least well known of the Outernet’s spaces and the most easily missed is the Now Arcade. Located within the same building, connecting to Denmark Street, the Now Arcade is a 21m long two storey high immersive tunnel fitted with floor-to-ceiling LED screens.

Usually filled with colour and movement, the Now Arcade tends to be more about patterns than the other two spaces which tend to feature displays with more of a narrative, meaningful element.

All three spaces, the Now Building, Now Trending and Now Arcade are under cover, so they are the ideal places to visit in the rain, but do note that all three are open on the sides to the elements and so you should dress appropriately for the weather.

Whilst you won’t spend hours at the Outernet, you can easily pass half an hour here, and being in close proximity to attractions like Covent Garden and the British Museum, this is an excellent addition to any London trip. There’s also a variety of shops and eateries nearby, making it convenient for timing in with a snack break or lunch stop.