Owls, puffins and hedgehogs to feature on UK banknotes

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 9, 2026

The Bank of England will replace portraits of famous Britons on its banknotes with images of native wildlife such as barn owls, puffins, bumblebees, and hedgehogs, starting with the £5 note. This redesign aims to improve security features, reflect public preferences expressed in a consultation, and address declining cash usage while maintaining the monarch's portrait.

The Bank of England announced plans to feature native British wildlife, including barn owls, puffins, bumblebees, and hedgehogs, on upcoming banknotes, marking a departure from the tradition of depicting historical figures such as Winston Churchill. This shift, revealed in October 2026, follows the central bank's March decision to remove famous Britons from future currency designs.

The move has sparked debate among politicians from across the political spectrum, with some expressing disappointment. Observers have speculated that the Bank of England may be seeking to avoid controversies associated with historical figures by adopting animal imagery instead.

The redesign effort is partly intended to enhance the distinctiveness and security of banknotes, making them more difficult to counterfeit. It also follows a public consultation process, during which nearly 500,000 people voted on a shortlist of 18 native animal species presented by the Bank of England in June.

Among the options, the buff-tailed bumblebee emerged as the most popular, followed by the barn owl and the European hedgehog. Although red foxes and common kingfishers received more votes than the Atlantic puffin, the bank selected the puffin to ensure representation of a marine species in the new series.

Victoria Cleland, the Bank of England’s chief cashier, highlighted the significant public engagement in the consultation, noting that it demonstrates the continued relevance of cash in the United Kingdom. Despite a considerable decline in cash usage—accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic and the widespread adoption of contactless payments—cash still accounts for a small but persistent portion of transactions. In 2024, cash payments represented less than 10% of all transactions, though UK Finance expects this decline to stabilize as some consumers maintain a strong preference for cash.

The redesign will retain the monarch's portrait on the banknotes. The transition will begin with the £5 note featuring Winston Churchill, originally issued in 2016, which is the first to be replaced. Subsequent changes will include the £10 note currently bearing novelist Jane Austen, the £20 featuring artist JMW Turner, and the £50 note depicting mathematician Alan Turing. The Bank of England plans to roll out the new wildlife-themed notes over the coming years.

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