The Bank of England has unveiled a shortlist of 18 native UK creatures that could appear on future banknotes, and the public is being invited to cast their votes. The selection includes mammals, birds, amphibians, insects, and fish, with species such as the European hedgehog, barn owl, and buff-tailed bumblebee among the contenders.
How the Selection Works
The central bank is collaborating with a panel of wildlife experts from across the UK to develop the new designs, following a public consultation held last year. The shortlisted animals are all native to the UK and are being considered for use on £5, £10, £20, and £50 notes.
“We are keen to hear your views, which will be an important consideration in making our final decision on the design,” the Bank of England stated. “The denominations will need to be easy to tell apart. It is important that there are four distinct animals across all four denominations and that they represent different environments from across the UK.”
Categories and Species
The list is divided into three categories, each covering a variety of species and habitats. Members of the public can choose up to two animals from each category.
Mammals: bottlenose dolphin, brown hare, European hedgehog, grey seal, pine marten, and red fox.
Birds: Atlantic puffin, barn owl, common kingfisher, Eurasian curlew, great spotted woodpecker, and white-tailed eagle.
Amphibians, Insects, and Fish: Atlantic salmon, basking shark, buff-tailed bumblebee, common frog, emperor dragonfly, and marsh fritillary butterfly.
The bank noted that it may not necessarily choose the four animals that receive the highest number of responses. Andrew Bailey, the bank’s governor, will make the final decision while “taking into account” the public’s feedback.
Statements from Officials
“I very much hope the public will enjoy engaging in our consultation to choose the animals to feature on our next series of banknotes,” said Victoria Cleland, the bank’s chief cashier. “The shortlisted animals demonstrate the rich variety of wildlife we have to celebrate in the UK.”
It will be several years before the next series of notes is launched. The process of designing, testing, and printing the notes is a detailed, multi-year effort to ensure they are high-quality, resilient, accessible, and incorporate the latest anti-counterfeiting technology.
The next series will still include a portrait of the monarch. Representation of the Home Nations will also be an important feature in the design, the Bank of England said. Mackerel, red squirrels, otters, and osprey already feature on Royal Bank of Scotland banknotes.
How to Vote
The outcome will be announced at the end of 2026. The public can vote via the consultation form, by emailing enquiries@bankofengland.co.uk, or by writing to Banknote Imagery Consultation, Notes Directorate, Bank of England, Threadneedle Street, London, EC2R 8AH.
