The Bank of England will feature animals on its next series of banknotes, replacing prominent historical figures such as Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, JMW Turner, and Alan Turing. The decision follows a public consultation that received nearly half a million responses, making it the most participated-in banknote consultation to date.
The chosen animals are the Atlantic puffin, barn owl, buff-tailed bumblebee, and European hedgehog. These will be incorporated onto the £5, £10, £20, and £50 denominations, though the specific assignment to each note has not yet been determined. The portrait of the monarch will continue to appear on the banknotes.
The buff-tailed bumblebee received the most votes with 360,399, followed by the European hedgehog with 256,665, and the barn owl with 270,596. The Atlantic puffin was selected despite not being in the top voting ranks, with bank officials citing a desire to include a marine animal and celebrate the British coastline. Other animals that received significant public support but did not make the final cut include the red fox and the common kingfisher.
The shift marks a departure from a tradition dating back to 1970, which featured historical figures on British currency. The Bank of England stated that the design, testing, and printing process for the new notes will take several years to ensure high quality, resilience, and accessibility.
Victoria Cleland, Chief Cashier, expressed delight at the public's engagement, noting that the chosen animals will not only represent the UK's diverse wildlife but also enhance banknote security. Despite a decline in cash usage for transactions, the Bank highlighted that cash remains a preferred payment method for a significant portion of the population and continues to see an increase in circulation, reaching £91.5 billion by the end of February 2026.
The move to feature wildlife has drawn some criticism, with opponents describing it as a move that erases history. This is not the first time the Bank of England has faced controversy over banknote designs; in recent years, there were campaigns for greater representation of women before Jane Austen was featured in 2017. The institution has also addressed historical sensitivities, such as removing from display artwork and busts of governors and directors with ties to the slave trade.