Help design the next banknotes

The public are being asked to give their views on a selection of wildlife, native to the UK, that will appear on the next series of banknotes in a consultation launched on 3 June 2026.

Working with a panel of wildlife experts from across the UK, the Bank of England has produced a shortlist of animals that could become the central image on the £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes.

The list has been grouped into three categories – 1. Mammals 2. Birds 3. Amphibians, insects and fish – which cover a variety of species and environments. The public can select up to two examples from each category in a consultation running until 3 July.

You can find out more and vote for your favourites here.

The shortlist

Mammals	Birds	Amphibians, insects & fish
bottlenose dolphin brown hare European hedgehog grey seal pine marten red fox	Atlantic puffin barn owl common kingfisher Eurasian curlew great spotted woodpecker white-tailed eagle	Atlantic salmon basking shark buff-tailed bumblebee common frog emperor dragonfly marsh fritillary butterfly

 

Like others, we also recognise that whilst this is great news for British Wildlife, it’s a shame that plants and fungi have been overlooked. It will be interesting to see what public opinion chooses, in due course.