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

The Bank of England has confirmed that four British animals will take centre stage on a future series of banknotes, marking a significant shift in how the country's currency represents national identity. The Atlantic puffin, barn owl, buff-tailed bumblebee and European hedgehog have been selected to appear on redesigned £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes, though officials have not yet determined which creature will feature on which denomination.

The announcement follows a public consultation that drew more than 2.5 million votes from 478,531 participants, ranging from individual wildlife enthusiasts to entire primary school classes. A panel of wildlife experts had shortlisted 18 mammals, birds, amphibians, insects and fish, with respondents invited to select up to six favourites from the list.

The buff-tailed bumblebee emerged as the clear favourite overall, collecting 360,399 votes - nearly 90,000 more than its nearest rival. The barn owl topped the birds category with 270,596 votes, while the European hedgehog led the mammals with 259,665. The Atlantic puffin, which finished behind the common kingfisher in the bird category, was nonetheless included by the Bank to celebrate marine life and the British coastline, as it was the most popular sea-dwelling creature among voters.

Victoria Cleland, the Bank's chief cashier, described the chosen quartet as "distinct and inspiring animals" that showcase the variety of wildlife found across the United Kingdom. She also noted that the new designs would enhance the security of the notes, suggesting the intricate natural imagery serves a practical anti-counterfeiting purpose alongside its aesthetic appeal.

The decision represents a notable departure from tradition. It will be the first time since 1970 that the reverse side of Bank of England notes will not feature a historic figure. The current series, in ascending order of value, depicts former Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, novelist Jane Austen, artist JMW Turner and mathematician and wartime codebreaker Alan Turing.

The proposal to remove Churchill from the £5 note drew criticism from several senior political figures. 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 stressed that its primary motivation is to combat counterfeiting, rather than to make a statement about historical legacy.

Interestingly, Churchill's own granddaughter has voiced support for the change, expressing happiness that her grandfather's portrait will be replaced. That endorsement may soften some of the political backlash, though the controversy illustrates how deeply banknote imagery is tied to national memory and public sentiment.

Each of the four animals will serve as the central image on one note, and the designs will incorporate additional natural elements, potentially drawing on other shortlisted species. The monarch will continue to appear on the obverse side of every note, preserving the traditional constitutional connection.

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

Phillips said the Bank would now work to combine 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 within the next few years, though no firm timetable has been provided.

Wildlife is not entirely new to British currency. Banknotes issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland already feature mackerel, otters, red squirrels and osprey. The puffin and bee have also appeared on coins as part of the Royal Mint's redesign of the 20p and £1 pieces respectively, suggesting a broader trend of celebrating nature on British money.

The shortlist itself reflected the breadth of the UK's biodiversity. The red fox and common kingfisher both attracted more nominations than the puffin, while the emperor dragonfly, brown hare, common frog and marsh fritillary butterfly also performed strongly. Lower-ranked contenders included the grey seal, pine marten, basking shark, bottlenose dolphin, white-tailed eagle, Atlantic salmon and Eurasian curlew, each receiving fewer than 100,000 votes.

The inclusion of the puffin was explained by the Bank as a way to add variety across the series, make the different denominations easier to distinguish by sight, and celebrate Britain's coastline. That reasoning reflects a practical concern: banknotes of different values must be quickly identifiable, particularly for people with visual impairments.

For now, the public will have to wait to see how the four creatures are ultimately rendered. What is already clear is that the next generation of Bank of England notes will tell a different kind of national story - one rooted in the country's natural heritage rather than its political and cultural pantheon.