The Bank of England has announced plans to replace historical figures on banknotes with native UK wildlife, chosen by the public. The new series will feature animals such as dolphins, foxes, butterflies, owls, bumblebees, and sharks, moving away from the current portraits of Sir Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, JMW Turner, and Alan Turing.
The public consultation, running until July 3, invites UK residents and British citizens abroad to select up to two animals from each of three categories: birds, amphibians/insects/fish, and mammals. The Bank will announce the final designs by the end of 2026, with Governor Andrew Bailey making the ultimate decision based on feedback.
Victoria Cleland, the Bank's chief cashier, expressed hope that the public would engage with the consultation, highlighting the diversity of UK wildlife. The monarch will continue to appear on the opposite side of the notes.
Historical figures have adorned Bank of England notes since 1970, with the current series beginning in 2016. Despite the rise of digital payments, cash remains the preferred method for about one in seven people, and the amount in circulation has reached £91.5 billion as of February 2026.
