The wildlife winners set to appear on your banknotes revealed

The Bank of England’s latest redesign of its banknotes will see the nation’s cash adorned with four iconic creatures – the Atlantic puffin, barn owl, buff‑tailed bumblebee and European hedgehog – marking the first time since 1970 that the reverse side of its notes will no longer feature historic personalities. The decision, unveiled on 7 October 2026, follows a public vote that attracted nearly half a million participants and more than 2.5 million individual votes, underscoring a growing appetite for wildlife representation on everyday currency.

How the winners were chosen

A panel of wildlife experts narrowed an initial pool of mammals, birds, amphibians, insects and fish to a shortlist of 18 candidates. The public were then invited to nominate up to six favourites each. The response was broad‑based, ranging from dedicated naturalists to primary school classes, resulting in 478,531 respondents casting a total of over 2.5 million votes.

Among the shortlist, the buff‑tailed bumblebee emerged as the clear front‑runner, amassing 360,399 votes – roughly 90,000 more than the second‑placed barn owl. The hedgehog topped the mammals category, while the puffin secured its place as the most popular marine animal, despite receiving fewer nominations than the red fox and common kingfisher.

Why wildlife, not history

The Bank’s chief cashier, Victoria Cleland, framed the shift as a dual‑purpose move: “We have chosen 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.” The inclusion of natural imagery is intended to aid anti‑counterfeiting measures, as the Bank plans to replace all existing portraits on its notes over time.

Replacing figures such as Sir Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, JMW Turner and Alan Turing – all currently featured on the £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes – has provoked criticism from several political leaders. Reform Party’s Nigel Farage, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch have all voiced opposition, describing the removal of historic icons as “a silly thing to do” and “anger‑inducing”. Yet the Bank maintains the priority is security, not politics.

The chosen creatures and their symbolism

The Atlantic puffin, a seabird associated with the British coastline, was selected to celebrate marine life and to add visual variety across the denomination range. Its presence also mirrors the recent Royal Mint redesign of the 20p coin, which now features the puffin as part of a broader nature‑themed series.

The barn owl, a nocturnal bird of prey, and the European hedgehog, a familiar garden resident, both topped their respective categories in the public vote. The buff‑tailed bumblebee, a vital pollinator, secured a decisive lead, reflecting heightened public awareness of pollinator decline and the ecological importance of bees. Together, the quartet offers a cross‑section of British fauna – avian, mammalian and insect – that collectively showcases the nation’s biodiversity.

Design and security implications

Each animal will occupy the central image of one of the four main denominations – £5, £10, £20 or £50 – though the Bank has not yet assigned specific creatures to specific values. The designs will also incorporate additional natural elements, potentially featuring other shortlisted species, to create layered, intricate patterns that are difficult for counterfeiters to replicate.

Rhys Phillips, the Bank’s incoming chief cashier responsible for the roll‑out, warned that the design, testing and printing phases could span several years. He emphasised the need for the new notes to be “high‑quality, resilient and accessible”, signalling a commitment to durability alongside the aesthetic overhaul.

Public reaction and cultural impact

The public’s enthusiastic participation – with over half a million voters – suggests a strong appetite for wildlife representation on everyday objects. Schools, in particular, appear to have embraced the initiative, with primary classes contributing to the vote count. This engagement may foster a deeper connection between younger generations and the natural world, reinforcing conservation messages through a medium that reaches virtually every household.

Critics, however, argue that the move sidelines historical education. Figures such as Churchill and Turing have long served as reminders of Britain’s wartime resilience and scientific achievement. The debate highlights a tension between preserving cultural memory and modernising national symbols to reflect contemporary values, including environmental stewardship.

Comparisons with other UK banknotes

Wildlife imagery is not entirely new to British currency. The Royal Bank of Scotland already features mackerel, otters, red squirrels and ospreys on its notes. The Bank of England’s decision thus aligns its visual language with a broader trend among UK banks to celebrate natural heritage, albeit on a larger, more widely circulated platform.

By moving away from portraiture, the Bank joins a global cohort of central banks that have embraced flora and fauna to enhance security and public appeal. The inclusion of the puffin and bumblebee on coins – the redesigned 20p and £1 pieces – further integrates the nature theme across the nation’s coinage, creating a cohesive visual ecosystem that spans both paper and metal money.

What lies ahead

While the exact rollout timeline remains uncertain, the Bank promises to unveil the final designs as they progress through testing. The public can expect to see the new notes in circulation within the next few years, once the intricate security features and material innovations are finalised.

In the meantime, the announcement has already sparked conversations about national identity, the role of historic figures on currency, and the importance of biodiversity. Whether the new notes will become beloved as the beloved creatures they depict remains to be seen, but the Bank of England has undeniably set a precedent: the future of British cash will be as much about the natural world as it is about the economy.

This article was produced with AI-assisted research and editorial support. Reporting is based on the source material cited below. Sources: BBC News UK; bbc.co.uk; Global1.News (08 October 2026).

By Erica Thornton, Staff Writer