The Bank of England has announced that future banknotes will feature British wildlife instead of historical figures, following a public consultation in July 2025 where nature emerged as the most popular theme. The decision marks a symbolic shift in how the United Kingdom represents itself on currency, moving from portraits of Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, and Alan Turing to native plants and animals.
Nature captured 60 per cent of the vote among 44,000 respondents, ahead of architecture and landmarks (56 per cent) and notable historical figures (38 per cent). The shortlist, now open to public vote, includes mammals such as the red fox, pine marten, grey seal, European hedgehog, brown hare, and bottlenose dolphin. Birds under consideration are the Atlantic puffin, barn owl, common kingfisher, Eurasian curlew, great spotted woodpecker, and white-tailed eagle. Amphibians, insects, and fish candidates include the Atlantic salmon, basking shark, buff-tailed bumblebee, common frog, emperor dragonfly, and marsh fritillary butterfly.
“Nature is more than just scenery, it is the living thread that binds our landscapes, our history, and our future together,” said Scottish wildlife filmmaker Gordon Buchanan, a member of the expert panel that compiled the list. “To protect nature is to protect the quiet, resilient heartbeat of the land itself.”
Security and symbolism
The shift is not merely aesthetic. Victoria Cleland, chief cashier at the Bank of England, explained that nature-themed designs offer practical advantages for security. “Nature is a great choice from a banknote authentication perspective,” she said, because it allows for security features that are easy for the public to recognise and distinguish, helping to combat counterfeiting.
Environmental advocates have welcomed the move. Ali Fisher, founder of sustainability consultancy Plans with Purpose, called it “a beautiful opportunity to put biodiversity literally in all our hands.” Wildlife presenter Nadeem Perera, another panel member, added: “The wildlife of the UK is not separate from our culture. It sits in our football crests, our folklore, our coastlines and our childhoods. Giving it space on something as symbolic as our currency feels both overdue and significant.”
Not everyone is satisfied with the shortlist. The RSPCA has argued that “animal underdogs” such as pigeons, gulls, and foxes deserve a place. “What about the pigeons who have been our friends for thousands of years, or rats, with their amazing memories, or even gulls, with their amazing levels of intelligence?” asked Geoff Edmond, wildlife expert at the RSPCA. While pigeons and rats did not make the final cut, the red fox is included as an option.
The Bank of England is not the first European institution to embrace nature on currency. Scottish notes already feature mackerel, otters, and red squirrels. Norway’s latest krone series celebrates its coastline with wave motifs and Atlantic cod and herring. Switzerland began moving away from famous personalities in 2016, with its “many facets of Switzerland” series showcasing wind, water, light, butterflies, the Alps, and dandelion seeds; a new series in the 2030s will focus on native plants and Alpine landscapes. The European Central Bank is also considering nature-themed designs for future euro banknotes, with shortlisted themes including “Rivers and birds: resilience in diversity” and “European culture: shared cultural spaces.” A final decision is expected in 2026.
“In a cost‑of‑living, climate and nature crisis, small cultural shifts like this matter,” said Fisher. “They help normalise the idea that our natural world is worth celebrating, protecting and investing in.” The public vote will determine the final selection, with results expected later this year.
