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

The Bank of England has announced that four British wildlife species will appear on a future series of banknotes, marking a significant departure from the historical figures that have traditionally graced the reverse side of the country's currency. The Atlantic puffin, barn owl, buff-tailed bumblebee and European hedgehog have been selected to feature on redesigned £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes, though officials have not yet confirmed which creature will appear on which denomination.

The selection follows a major public consultation exercise that drew more than 2.5 million votes from 478,531 participants. Respondents ranged from individual wildlife enthusiasts to primary school classes, reflecting widespread public engagement with the process. A panel of wildlife experts had previously drawn up a shortlist of 18 mammals, birds, amphibians, insects and fish, with the public invited to select up to six favourites from that list.

The buff-tailed bumblebee emerged as the clear overall winner, collecting 360,399 votes—nearly 90,000 more than its nearest competitor. The barn owl secured the top position among birds with 270,596 votes, while the European hedgehog led the mammals category with 259,665 votes. Other strong performers included the red fox with 244,651 votes and the common kingfisher with 211,277 votes.

The Atlantic puffin's inclusion came through a different route. Although the seabird received 183,137 votes—fewer than both the red fox and the common kingfisher—the Bank selected it because it proved to be the most popular marine animal in the poll. According to the Bank, adding the puffin brings greater variety to the series, makes it easier for people to distinguish between different denominations, and provides an opportunity to celebrate Britain's coastline and marine life.

Victoria Cleland, the Bank's chief cashier, explained the reasoning behind the choices. She said the four animals were "distinct and inspiring," noting that they not only showcase the rich diversity of wildlife found across the United Kingdom but will also contribute to the security features of the new notes. The integration of complex wildlife imagery is intended to make the banknotes more difficult to counterfeit.

This represents a historic shift in the design philosophy of Bank of England currency. Since 1970, the reverse side of the Bank's notes has consistently featured notable figures from British history. The current series, in ascending order of value, honours former Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill on the £5 note, author Jane Austen on the £10, artist JMW Turner on the £20, and mathematician and wartime codebreaker Alan Turing on the £50.

The decision to remove Churchill from the £5 note in particular has provoked criticism from several prominent political leaders. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey both expressed anger at the proposed change, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described it as "a silly thing to do." Churchill's granddaughter, however, has indicated she is happy with the decision to replace her grandfather's image.

The Bank has stressed that its primary motivation for the redesign is to combat counterfeiting, and that wildlife imagery offers new opportunities for incorporating advanced security features. Each of the four creatures will serve as the central image on one denomination, and the notes may also include other natural elements in their designs—potentially featuring additional animals from the original shortlist of 18.

The monarch will continue to appear on the obverse side of the notes, maintaining a tradition that dates back centuries. The wildlife designs will occupy the reverse side, replacing the historical figures that have become familiar to millions of people who handle British currency daily.

Rhys Phillips, the Bank's incoming chief cashier who will oversee the rollout of the new series, cautioned that the process of designing, testing and printing banknotes could take several years to complete. He emphasised that the Bank must ensure the notes are high-quality, durable and accessible to all users. Because the designs remain in the very early stages of development, they will not be unveiled until closer to their official launch.

Phillips said the Bank will now work to design, test and produce the banknotes, combining the newly announced imagery with cutting-edge security features and advances in materials science. The first denomination from the new series is expected to enter circulation over the next few years, though no specific timeline has been provided.

Wildlife is not entirely new to British banknotes. The Royal Bank of Scotland already issues notes featuring mackerel, otters, red squirrels and osprey. The Royal Mint has also incorporated nature into coinage, with the puffin and bees appearing on redesigned 20p and £1 coins respectively. However, this will be the first time that the Bank of England's own notes have abandoned historical figures in favour of wildlife since the current format was established in 1970.

The full shortlist of 18 animals also included the brown hare, which received 130,614 votes, the common frog with 120,382, the emperor dragonfly with 143,894, and the marsh fritillary butterfly with 108,467. Lower-ranked contenders that each received fewer than 100,000 votes included the grey seal, pine marten, basking shark, bottlenose dolphin, white-tailed eagle, Atlantic salmon and Eurasian curlew. Some of these animals could still appear as secondary design elements on the new notes.

The announcement has generated considerable public interest, reflecting the strong emotional connection many Britons feel toward the country's native wildlife. The hedgehog, in particular, has become a beloved symbol of British gardens and countryside, while the puffin is celebrated as one of the nation's most recognisable seabirds. The barn owl and bumblebee similarly hold special places in the public imagination, representing the health of farmland and urban ecosystems respectively.