Bank of England Unveils Four Native Animals Set to Replace Historical Figures on New 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 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 following a public consultation that drew more than 2.5 million votes from nearly half a million participants. The decision represents the first time since 1970 that the Bank of England's notes will not feature notable figures from history on their reverse side.

The selection process was shaped by a combination of public preference and curatorial judgment. A panel of wildlife experts initially compiled a shortlist of 18 candidates spanning mammals, birds, amphibians, insects, and fish. Members of the public were then invited to cast votes for up to six of their preferred species. According to the Bank of England, 478,531 people participated in the exercise, with voters ranging from dedicated wildlife enthusiasts to primary school classes across the country.

The buff-tailed bumblebee emerged as the clear overall favourite, accumulating 360,399 votes. That total placed it nearly 90,000 votes ahead of the barn owl, which secured 270,596 votes and led the birds category. Among mammals, the European hedgehog proved most popular, attracting 259,665 votes. The red fox and common kingfisher each received more nominations than the Atlantic puffin in their respective categories, but the puffin was nonetheless selected because it ranked as the most popular marine animal on the shortlist.

Victoria Cleland, the Bank's chief cashier, explained the rationale behind the final four. She said the chosen animals were "four distinct and inspiring animals that not only showcase the great variety of wildlife we have in the UK but will also enhance the security of our banknotes." Her comments suggest that the intricate natural imagery may serve a dual purpose, both celebrating domestic biodiversity and incorporating design elements that are difficult to replicate fraudulently.

The Bank has not yet determined which of the four creatures will appear on each denomination. Each animal will serve as the central image on either a £5, £10, £20, or £50 note. The designs are expected to incorporate additional natural elements, potentially drawing on other species from the original shortlist. The monarch will continue to feature on the obverse side of every note, preserving a longstanding tradition of royal portraiture alongside the new wildlife themes.

The decision to retire historical figures from the reverse of Bank of England notes has generated political controversy. Sir Winston Churchill, the wartime prime minister whose portrait currently appears on the £5 note, is among those set to be replaced. The move drew criticism from Reform leader Nigel Farage and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described it as "a silly thing to do." The Bank has maintained that the primary motivation is to combat counterfeiting, arguing that complex nature imagery is harder to forge than traditional portraiture.

Public reaction has not been uniformly negative, however. Churchill's granddaughter expressed happiness that her grandfather's picture would be replaced, suggesting that some family members view the change as a natural evolution rather than a slight. The Bank of England has emphasised that the shift reflects a broader desire to celebrate the nation's natural heritage on a widely circulated medium.

The current series of Bank of England notes, in ascending order of value, features Churchill on the £5, author Jane Austen on the £10, artist JMW Turner on the £20, and mathematician and wartime codebreaker Alan Turing on the £50. The new wildlife-themed series will end a tradition of honouring notable historical figures that has continued for more than five decades. The last time the reverse side of Bank of England notes did not feature a historical personage was 1970.

Wildlife imagery is not entirely unprecedented on British currency. The Royal Bank of Scotland already issues notes depicting mackerel, otters, red squirrels, and osprey. Additionally, the Royal Mint has incorporated the puffin and bees into redesigned 20p and £1 coins, respectively. These precedents suggest that the Bank of England's decision aligns with a wider trend among British currency issuers to highlight the country's natural environment.

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. He stressed the importance of ensuring the notes are high-quality, durable, and accessible to all users. Phillips indicated that the final designs would be revealed closer to their launch, noting that they remain in the very early stages of development.

"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 underscore the technical complexity involved in modern currency production, where aesthetic considerations must be balanced against stringent anti-counterfeiting requirements and practical durability standards.

The first denomination from the new series is expected to enter circulation within the next few years, though the Bank has not provided a precise timeline. The intervening period will involve extensive collaboration between designers, security experts, and materials scientists. The Bank has indicated that the new notes will retain the familiar polymer substrate and incorporate updated security features alongside the wildlife imagery.

The inclusion of the Atlantic puffin was justified on several grounds beyond its vote count. The Bank said the seabird's presence would add variety to the series, make the different denominations easier to distinguish by colour and design, and provide an opportunity to celebrate the British coastline. The puffin's selection reflects a deliberate curatorial choice rather than a strict adherence to the popular vote, demonstrating that the Bank balanced public opinion with design considerations.

The four chosen species represent a cross-section of British wildlife habitats, from coastal cliffs and farmland to gardens and woodland edges. The barn owl, with its distinctive heart-shaped face and silent flight, is a familiar nocturnal predator. The buff-tailed bumblebee plays a critical role in pollination. The European hedgehog, once common in British gardens, has experienced significant population declines in recent decades, making its selection a potential boost for conservation awareness. The puffin, with its colourful beak and comical appearance, is among the most recognisable seabirds in the North Atlantic.

As the Bank of England moves forward with its most significant currency redesign in a generation, the new notes will carry both practical and symbolic weight. They will serve as everyday tools of commerce while simultaneously acting as ambassadors for the nation's wildlife. The coming years will determine how the final designs balance aesthetics, security, and the public's attachment to the figures being retired.