Bank of England Selects Puffin, Barn Owl, Bumblebee and Hedgehog for Next Banknote Series
In its upcoming series of banknotes, the Bank of England will showcase the Atlantic puffin, barn owl, buff-tailed bumblebee, and European hedgehog, highlighting the UK’s wildlife. This choice came after a public consultation held from 3 June to 3 July 2026, which garnered a record 478,531 responses. The barn owl led with 270,596 nominations, followed by the buff-tailed bumblebee at 360,399 and the European hedgehog with 259,665 votes. The Atlantic puffin, chosen for its significance to the marine ecosystem, received 183,137 nominations. Additional nature-themed elements and a portrait of the monarch will also be featured. The first banknote denomination is anticipated to be released in the coming years, with cash circulation reaching £91.5 billion by February 2026.
Key facts
- The Bank of England announced the Atlantic puffin, barn owl, buff-tailed bumblebee and European hedgehog as the animals for its next banknote series.
- A public consultation from 3 June to 3 July 2026 received 478,531 responses, the most ever for a Bank of England banknote imagery consultation.
- Respondents made 2,549,003 selections from a shortlist of 18 animals developed with a panel of UK wildlife experts.
- The barn owl (Tyto alba) received 270,596 nominations, the buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) 360,399, and the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) 259,665, each the most popular in their category.
- The Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) was selected as the most popular marine animal with 183,137 nominations.
- The banknotes will also feature other nature elements and continue to include a portrait of the monarch.
- Victoria Cleland is the current Chief Cashier, and Rhys Phillips will take over the role from 19 October 2026.
- The first denomination of the next series is expected to launch over the next few years, following a multi-year design, testing and printing process.
Entities
Artists
- Victoria Cleland
- Rhys Phillips
- Katy Bell
- Gordon Buchanan
- Miranda Krestovnikoff
- Steve Ormerod
- Nadeem Perera
- Dawn Scott
- Sir Winston Churchill
- Jane Austen
- JMW Turner
- Alan Turing
- Katie Martin
- Nick McLaren
- Emma Wild
- Theodora Gkatzoflia
- Sebastian Walsh
Institutions
- Bank of England
- Ulster Wildlife
- Cardiff University
- Nottingham Trent University
- Banknote Imagery Advisory Group
- Banknote Imagery Expert Panel
- Banknote Innovation Programme
- Public Sector Equality Duty
Locations
- UK
- London
- England
- United Kingdom
- Threadneedle Street
- EC2R 8AH
- Canada
- Glasgow University tower