The Bank of England has announced that the next generation of British banknotes will feature native wildlife instead of historical figures such as Winston Churchill and Jane Austen. Following a public consultation that attracted nearly 500,000 responses, four animals have been selected to grace the £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes.
The chosen species are the Atlantic puffin, the barn owl, the buff-tailed bumblebee and the European hedgehog. These creatures emerged from an initial shortlist of 18 options following feedback gathered this summer. The central bank has confirmed that the portrait of King Charles III will continue to feature on the obverse side of all denominations.
The transition means that historical figures currently appearing on the reverse of the notes—including Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, J.M.W. Turner and Alan Turing—will gradually be phased out. It has not yet been decided which particular animal will adorn each specific banknote denomination, and the design and production process is expected to take several years.
Victoria Cleland, the Bank’s chief cashier, expressed delight at the high level of public engagement, noting that the consultation demonstrated that physical cash remains important to the public. She added that the chosen animals not only showcase the great variety of wildlife across the United Kingdom but will also enhance the security features of the banknotes.
The decision to replace historical figures with nature imagery has previously sparked debate in political circles. Critics from opposition parties voiced concerns over the removal of notable cultural icons, while wildlife conservation groups and members of the public welcomed the celebration of native species. Existing banknotes featuring Queen Elizabeth II and historical personalities will remain legal tender during the gradual rollout of the new design series.
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