Bank of England selects hedgehog, puffin, owl and bumblebee for new banknotes

The Bank of England has settled on four creatures to grace the next generation of banknotes: a hedgehog, a barn owl, a buff-tailed bumblebee, and an Atlantic puffin. The decision emerged from a public vote that drew nearly half a million participants, who cast more than 2.5 million votes across a shortlist of eighteen animals. It marks the first time in fifty-six years that historical figures will no longer occupy the reverse side of Bank of England currency.

The selection process began with a panel of wildlife experts who assembled the shortlist of mammals, birds, amphibians, insects, and fish. Members of the public were then invited to nominate and vote for up to six creatures. The response was substantial: 478,531 people participated, ranging from dedicated wildlife enthusiasts to primary school classes. The buff-tailed bumblebee emerged as the clear victor in its category, securing 360,399 votes—nearly 90,000 more than the barn owl. The European hedgehog won the mammals category by popular vote. The puffin, however, did not win its own category; both the red fox and the common kingfisher received more nominations. The Bank of England selected the puffin anyway, reasoning that as the most popular marine animal on the shortlist, its inclusion would celebrate British coastlines, add visual variety to the notes, and make different denominations easier to distinguish at a glance.

Victoria Cleland, the Bank's chief cashier, described the four animals as "distinct and inspiring," noting that they showcase the breadth of British wildlife while also serving a practical purpose: enhancing the security features of the currency itself. Each creature will become the central image on a £5, £10, £20, or £50 note, though the Bank has not yet announced which animal will appear on which denomination. The monarch will continue to feature on the obverse side of all notes. The designs will incorporate additional natural imagery, potentially including other animals from the original shortlist.

The move away from historical portraiture has provoked political objection. Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, JMW Turner, and Alan Turing currently appear on circulating notes in ascending order of value. The removal of Churchill—the wartime Prime Minister—drew particular criticism from Reform leader Nigel Farage and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the decision "a silly thing to do." The Bank of England has explained that the redesign is primarily motivated by security concerns: all images on banknotes must be periodically replaced to prevent counterfeiting. Wildlife already appears on banknotes issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland, which feature mackerel, otters, red squirrels, and osprey.

Rhys Phillips, the Bank's incoming chief cashier, cautioned that the process of designing, testing, and printing the new notes will consume years. The designs remain in their earliest stages. The Bank intends to combine the animal imagery with cutting-edge security features and advanced materials science before the notes enter circulation. No timeline for their release has been announced, though Phillips emphasized the need to ensure the notes are high-quality, durable, and accessible to all users. The puffin and bumblebee have already begun their appearance on British currency through the Royal Mint's redesigned 20p and £1 coins, signaling a broader shift toward natural imagery across the nation's money.