# Bank of England banknote wildlife redesign

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bank-of-england-banknote-wildlife-redesign
> Updated: 2026-10-21T05:46:28.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 3.

The Bank of England has announced a redesign of its banknotes, transitioning from featuring historical figures to showcasing British wildlife. This initiative follows a public consultation involving nearly 500,000 participants who voted on a shortlist of 18 species.

The selected species for the £5, £10, £20, and £50 notes are the Atlantic puffin, the barn owl, the buff-tailed bumblebee, and the European hedgehog. In the voting process, the buff-tailed bumblebee led with approximately 360,000 votes. The hedgehog won the mammal category, the barn owl won the bird category, and the Atlantic puffin was chosen as the representative marine species.

The redesign aims to enhance currency security and prevent counterfeiting through new features. While historical figures such as Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, JMW Turner, and Alan Turing will be removed, the portrait of King Charles III will remain on all notes. The RSPCA has expressed support for the initiative, noting it may help raise awareness for ‘less-loved’ species and challenge misconceptions about animals that are often misunderstood or less celebrated.

Rhys Phillips has recently assumed the role of Chief Cashier and Director of Notes at the Bank of England. His responsibilities will include the delivery and circulation of the new banknotes, which will feature the chosen wildlife alongside his signature.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-21: Bank of England selects wildlife for new banknotes

The Bank of England has chosen barn owls, buff-tailed bumblebees, hedgehogs, and Atlantic puffins to feature on new banknotes following a public consultation.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bank-of-england-selects-wildlife-for-new-banknotes

### 2026-10-10: Bank of England selects UK wildlife for new banknotes

The Bank of England will feature the Atlantic puffin, barn owl, buff-tailed bumblebee, and hedgehog on its next series of banknotes following a public vote to celebrate UK biodiversity.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bank-of-england-selects-native-animals-for-new-banknotes

### 2026-10-07: Bank of England to feature wildlife on new banknotes

The Bank of England will replace historical figures like Winston Churchill on new banknotes with four British wildlife species: the Atlantic puffin, barn owl, bumblebee, and European hedgehog.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bank-of-england-selects-wildlife-for-new-banknote-designs

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Cite as: Bank of England banknote wildlife redesign. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bank-of-england-banknote-wildlife-redesign