12 October 2026
The Bank of England has confirmed that the next series of banknotes will feature an Atlantic puffin, barn owl, buff-tailed bumblebee and European hedgehog, with the redesign also intended to strengthen protection against counterfeiting.
The new notes are designed to incorporate the latest anti-counterfeiting technology and make it easier for businesses and customers to identify genuine notes.
The Bank says security is at the heart of the design process, with the wildlife imagery providing opportunities for recognisable security features based on the animals’ forms and movements - particularly relevant for retailers handling cash.
The Bank has not yet confirmed which animal will appear on each denomination, but the new series will cover the £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes and will continue to feature a portrait of the monarch, with the existing sizes and overall colour schemes retained.
The announcement follows a public consultation in which 478,531 people took part, choosing from a shortlist of 18 species that included puffins, dolphins and bumblebees, with the final four selected to provide distinctive designs that can support counterfeit resilience.
Victoria Cleland, Bank of England Chief Cashier, said: “I am delighted that nearly half a million people responded to our wildlife imagery consultation, showing that cash still matters. I would like to thank everyone who engaged, including those who I met at our events. With their support, we have chosen four distinct and inspiring animals that not only showcase the great variety of wildlife we have in the UK but will also enhance the security of our banknotes.”
The new notes will not enter circulation for several years, as the Bank must complete detailed design, testing, manufacturing and trialling, but retailers can continue to use the Bank's free training materials to familiarise staff with the security features on current notes and guidance on handling suspected counterfeits.
Cash remains important despite the growth of digital payments, with the Bank reporting that it is the preferred payment method for around one in seven people and that the value of cash in circulation reached £91.5 billion at the end of February 2026.
Can animal banknotes remind us why physical cash still matters on the high street?
With animals adorning the next generation of banknotes, the debate may be about more than design. For independent retailers and local communities, it is a timely reminder that cash still plays a vital role on the high street.
Image credit: michal/stock.adobe.com
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