Stories

Wed, 11 Mar 2026

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 Wildlife to replace historical characters on banknotes

Nature was the most popular theme among the public, with the new notes designed to deter counterfeiting.

* The Bank of England plans to replace historical characters on banknotes with images of British wildlife.
* A panel of experts will draw up a shortlist, which will be put to the public for their say.
* The final decision will be made by the Bank's governor, but it may take several years before new notes enter circulation.
* Wildlife was the most popular theme in a public consultation with 60% of respondents selecting it as one of their preferred themes.
* A panel of experts including wildlife filmmakers and academics will choose the contenders to feature on the next set of Bank of England designs.
* The Bank hopes that images of wildlife will be difficult to counterfeit and will provide an opportunity to celebrate nature across the country.
* Historical characters, such as William Shakespeare and Sir Winston Churchill, are expected to be replaced by images of animals like robins, otters, and red squirrels.