The Bank of England said an Atlantic puffin, barn owl, buff-tailed bumblebee and European hedgehog will be the central images on the next series of notes, after 478,531 consultation responses.
The Bank of England said on Thursday that an Atlantic puffin, a barn owl, a buff-tailed bumblebee and a European hedgehog will be the central images on the next series of banknotes. The notes will still carry a portrait of the monarch.
The choice followed a public consultation that ran from 3 June to 3 July 2026 and drew 478,531 responses, the most the Bank has received on banknote imagery. People chose from a shortlist of 18 animals in three groups, drawn up with wildlife specialists. Respondents made 2,549,003 selections.
The barn owl, bumblebee and hedgehog were the most popular animals in their categories, with 270,596, 360,399 and 259,665 nominations. The puffin, with 183,137 nominations, was chosen as the most popular marine animal so the series would include the coastline and be easier to tell apart.
Which animal goes on which denomination has not been decided. The Bank said other nature elements, possibly other shortlisted animals, may appear. Chief cashier Victoria Cleland said the response showed cash still matters. Incoming chief cashier Rhys Phillips, who takes over on 19 October, said design and security work now begins.
The first denomination is expected over the next few years, not on a set date. Cash in circulation was 91.5 billion pounds at the end of February 2026, the Bank said.
People Sentiments Positive
- Victoria Cleland said nearly half a million responses showed that cash still matters.
- Rhys Phillips said the animals will be combined with new security features.