Bank of England Unveils Four Native Animals Set to Replace Historic Figures on Future Banknotes

The Bank of England has announced that four British wildlife species will appear on the next generation of banknotes, marking a significant departure from the long-standing tradition of featuring notable historical figures on the reverse side of the currency. The chosen creatures are the Atlantic puffin, the barn owl, the buff-tailed bumblebee, and the European hedgehog. According to the Bank, the redesigned notes will be introduced "in years to come," and officials have not yet determined which of the four animals will appear on which specific denomination.

The selection process combined public voting with expert curation. A panel of wildlife specialists compiled a shortlist of 18 species spanning mammals, birds, amphibians, insects, and fish. Members of the public were then invited to nominate up to six animals from that list. The response was substantial: more than 2.5 million votes were cast by 478,531 participants, a group that ranged from individual wildlife enthusiasts to entire primary school classes. The buff-tailed bumblebee emerged as the clear overall favourite, attracting 360,399 votes—nearly 90,000 more than the barn owl, which secured 270,596 votes. The European hedgehog led the mammals category with 259,665 votes.

The barn owl, bumblebee, and hedgehog each topped their respective categories in the public ballot, meaning their inclusion was directly driven by popular choice. The Atlantic puffin followed a different route onto the notes. While the red fox in the mammals category and the common kingfisher among birds both received more nominations than the puffin, the seabird was selected because it was the most popular marine animal. The Bank explained that including the puffin would celebrate the British coastline and marine life, add variety to the series, and make it easier for people to distinguish between different denominations.

Victoria Cleland, the Bank's chief cashier, described the four animals as "distinct and inspiring," noting that they showcase the great variety of wildlife found across the United Kingdom while also contributing to the security features of the banknotes. The animals will each serve as the central image on a £5, £10, £20, or £50 note. Beyond the main creature, the designs are expected to incorporate other natural elements, potentially drawing on additional species from the original shortlist. The monarch will continue to appear on the other side of every note.

This decision represents the first time since 1970 that the reverse side of Bank of England notes will no longer feature notable figures from history. Current circulating notes, in ascending order of value, depict former Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, author Jane Austen, artist JMW Turner, and mathematician and wartime codebreaker Alan Turing. The proposed removal of Churchill, in particular, drew sharp criticism from leading politicians. Reform leader Nigel Farage and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey both expressed anger at the move, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called it "a silly thing to do."

The Bank has stated that the primary motivation for the redesign is to combat counterfeiting, with the new imagery intended to enhance the security of the currency. Rhys Phillips, the Bank's incoming chief cashier who will oversee the roll-out of the new series, emphasised that the design, testing, and printing process could take several years. He said the Bank must ensure the notes are high-quality, durable, and accessible. Because the designs are only in the very early stages, they will not be unveiled until closer to their launch.

"We'll now work to design, test and produce the banknotes, combining the imagery we've announced today with cutting-edge security features and materials science," Phillips said. His remarks suggest that the new notes will incorporate advanced anti-counterfeiting technologies alongside the wildlife artwork. The Bank has not provided a specific timeline for when the first denomination from the new series will enter circulation, saying only that it will be launched "over the next few years."

Wildlife imagery is not entirely new to British currency. The Royal Bank of Scotland already issues notes featuring mackerel, otters, red squirrels, and osprey. Additionally, the Royal Mint's redesigned coins include the puffin and bees on the 20p and £1 coins respectively. However, the Bank of England's decision to replace historical figures with animals on its own notes is unprecedented in modern times and represents a broader shift in how the nation's currency reflects its identity.

The shortlist of 18 animals revealed the relative popularity of various species. Among mammals, the red fox ranked second with 244,651 votes, followed by the brown hare at 130,614, the grey seal, the pine marten, and the bottlenose dolphin. In the birds category, the common kingfisher came second with 211,277 votes, ahead of the Atlantic puffin at 183,137, the white-tailed eagle, the Eurasian curlew, and the Atlantic salmon. The amphibians, insects, and fish category saw the emperor dragonfly place second with 143,894 votes, followed by the common frog at 120,382 and the marsh fritillary butterfly at 108,467. The basking shark also appeared on the shortlist.

The inclusion of the bumblebee, hedgehog, and barn owl reflects a strong public affinity for familiar garden and farmland species. All three are widely recognised across the UK, though the hedgehog has experienced significant population declines in recent decades. The puffin, meanwhile, is a charismatic seabird often associated with coastal cliffs and islands, making it a fitting symbol for the nation's maritime heritage.

Public reaction to the announcement has been mixed. Supporters of the change argue that the wildlife theme is more inclusive and forward-looking than the traditional focus on historical figures, some of whom have contested legacies. Critics, including several prominent political leaders, contend that removing figures like Churchill erases important aspects of national history. Churchill's granddaughter has publicly expressed happiness that his picture is being replaced on the £5 note, according to the source, suggesting that even within his family there are varying perspectives on the matter.

The Bank of England has framed the redesign primarily as a technical and security-driven update rather than a cultural statement. Nevertheless, the choice of imagery carries symbolic weight, and the months of public consultation and voting have engaged hundreds of thousands of people in a national conversation about which species best represent the country. As the design process moves forward, the Bank will need to balance aesthetic appeal, security requirements, and public expectations—all while ensuring the new notes remain accessible to people with visual impairments and other needs.

For now, the four animals have been confirmed, but many details remain unresolved. Which creature will grace which denomination, what additional natural elements will appear, and exactly when the first new notes will be issued are all questions still to be answered. What is clear is that the next generation of British currency will look markedly different from the portraits of statesmen, authors, and scientists that have defined the past five decades.