British Wildlife Set to Replace Figures on Notes

The Bank of England has announced a major redesign of its banknotes, revealing that British wildlife will replace historical figures on the next series of £5, £10, £20, and £50 notes. The move aims to celebrate the United Kingdom’s natural heritage while strengthening security features to combat counterfeiting.

Public Will Help Choose the Wildlife

The Bank confirmed that the public will play a role in deciding which animals and birds native to the UK will appear on the new banknotes. A panel of wildlife experts will first create a shortlist, after which citizens will be invited to vote for their preferred species.

The final decision will be made by the Bank’s governor, though officials say it could take several years before the redesigned notes enter circulation.

Victoria Cleland, the Bank’s chief cashier whose signature appears on UK banknotes, explained the reasoning behind the change.

“The key driver for introducing a new banknote series is always to increase counterfeit resilience, but it also provides an opportunity to celebrate different aspects of the UK.”

Nature Chosen as the Most Popular Theme

The wildlife theme emerged as the clear favorite during a public consultation conducted by the Bank of England.

Out of 44,000 responses, nature was the most popular choice:

• Nature and wildlife: 60%
• Architecture and landmarks: 56%
• Historical figures: 38%
• Arts, culture, and sport: 30%
• Innovation: 23%
• Noteworthy milestones: 19%

The results suggest strong public interest in showcasing Britain’s biodiversity and natural landscapes on its currency.

Expert Panel to Select Candidate Species

The panel responsible for selecting wildlife candidates includes well-known conservationists, wildlife filmmakers, and academics. Among them are:

• Gordon Buchanan – wildlife filmmaker and presenter
• Miranda Krestovnikoff – TV wildlife presenter
• Nadeem Perera – naturalist and wildlife advocate
• Katy Bell – representative from Ulster Wildlife
• Steve Ormerod – environmental scientist
• Dawn Scott – ecology expert

Perera emphasized the cultural importance of wildlife in the UK.

“The wildlife of the UK is not separate from our culture. It sits in our football crests, our folklore, our coastlines and our childhoods. Giving it space on something as symbolic as our currency feels both overdue and significant.”

End of a Long Tradition of Historical Figures

For more than 50 years, the reverse side of Bank of England notes has featured famous historical figures. The tradition began with William Shakespeare and has included some of the country’s most influential individuals.

The current banknotes feature:

• £5 – Winston Churchill
• £10 – Jane Austen
• £20 – J. M. W. Turner
• £50 – Alan Turing

Despite these iconic names, the selections have occasionally sparked controversy. Critics have pointed out the lack of ethnic diversity among historical figures featured on UK banknotes.

The Monarch Will Remain

While historical figures will be removed, the reigning monarch will continue to appear on banknotes. This tradition began in 1960 and remains an important part of the country’s currency design.

Wildlife Already Appears on Some UK Banknotes

Wildlife imagery is not entirely new to British currency. Some banknotes issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland already feature species such as:

• Mackerel
• Otters
• Red squirrels
• Ospreys

These designs have proven popular with the public and collectors.

What Could Appear on the New Notes?

Although the shortlist has not yet been revealed, the Bank said the designs may include native animals, birds, plants, and landscapes to create visually rich and secure banknotes.

Household pets will not be considered for the designs.

Inspired by Award-Winning Banknotes

The Bank of England may also take inspiration from innovative designs used in other countries. For example, Bermuda’s colorful $5 banknote, featuring marine life and nature scenes, recently won Banknote of the Year from the International Bank Note Society.

A New Era for UK Currency

The upcoming redesign marks a significant shift in the identity of British banknotes, moving away from historical personalities toward a celebration of the country’s natural environment.

With the public soon invited to vote, the next generation of banknotes could showcase some of the UK’s most beloved wildlife species, highlighting the nation’s rich biodiversity while improving security against counterfeiting.