Four Animals Chosen for Future British Banknotes
Wednesday, October 14, 2026177 words3 minutes242 reads
Four kinds of wildlife have been chosen for the next Bank of England banknotes: the Atlantic puffin, barn owl, buff-tailed bumblebee and European hedgehog. The animals will be the main images on four different note values. The bank announced the decision on 8 October 2026.
The choice followed a public consultation. Nearly 500,000 people responded to a list of 18 animals. The owl, bee and hedgehog led their own groups. The puffin was picked as the most popular sea animal, adding life from Britain's coast to the set. The bank made the final choice using the public's views. The public helped choose the animals, but the bank made the final decision.
The images are part of a wider redesign that will add new security features. The bank has not said which animal will appear on the £5, £10, £20 or £50 note. The bank has not decided which animal will appear on each note. Designing and testing the notes will take years, so these pictures are a plan for the future, not money people can spend now.
