Britain's Banknotes Are Getting a New Look: Foxes and Sharks Instead of Famous People

The Bank of England has announced that the next series of banknotes will feature animals instead of historical figures. Foxes, sharks, and puffins are among the creatures being considered. This is a major change—for decades, British notes have shown famous people like Winston Churchill and Jane Austen. The shift comes after the public was asked what they'd like to see, and many people said they wanted wildlife.

Why the Change?

In July 2025, the Bank of England asked the public for ideas about the new banknote designs. A lot of people said they wanted to see British animals and nature instead of more portraits of historical figures. The current notes show Winston Churchill on the £5, Jane Austen on the £10, J.M.W. Turner on the £20, and Alan Turing on the £50.

The Bank of England's governor decided to go with the wildlife theme based on what people said they wanted.

A Practical Reason: Making Notes Harder to Fake

There's a practical benefit to using animal images on money. Wildlife designs are much harder to copy than portraits, so they work well as an anti-counterfeiting measure. The detail in feathers, fur, and natural colors creates complexity that makes notes difficult to fake while giving designers more elements to work with for security features.

Think of it like a puzzle: the more detailed and varied the picture, the harder it is for someone to replicate it perfectly.

When Will This Happen?

Don't expect to see these new notes anytime soon. The Bank of England says they'll be several years away from actually being printed and handed out. There's a lot of work involved—designing the notes, testing security features, updating printing equipment, and preparing the public for the change.

A second round of public consultation is planned for summer 2026. This time, people will be asked specifically which animals should go on each note denomination.

What This Shift Means

For over a century, British banknotes have honored important historical figures—a way of celebrating the country's cultural and scientific achievements. Switching to wildlife is a significant change in how the country thinks about what belongs on its money.

The broader context here is that physical banknotes are under pressure. Digital payment systems like cards and phone apps are increasingly common, and paper money is used less than it used to be. By making banknotes more distinctive and memorable through wildlife designs, the Bank of England may be trying to keep people connected to physical currency.

The wildlife theme also taps into something else changing in society: people care more about the environment and celebrating nature. Rather than just honoring people, the new notes would celebrate the natural world that is part of British identity.

Other countries have gone through similar shifts. When Europe created the euro, its central bank faced the same choice—include figures from specific countries, or find a design that worked for everyone. They chose architecture. Britain's wildlife approach is its own answer: celebrating what makes Britain's natural heritage special while solving a practical security problem.

The Practical Challenges Ahead

Moving from portrait designs to wildlife will require real changes in how notes are printed. Different printing techniques, new color palettes, and updated equipment will all be needed. The Bank of England will also have to think carefully about which animals represent different parts of Britain—everything from land mammals like foxes to sea creatures like sharks to coastal birds like puffins.

What Happens Next

The summer 2026 public consultation will be a key moment. What people say will shape which specific animals end up on each note. The Bank of England's willingness to ask the public suggests the institution understands that banknote design touches on something deeper than just function—it's about national identity and what a country chooses to represent about itself.

As the process continues, the Bank of England will have to weigh what people want against what actually works in practice. Security has to work. The notes have to be printable. But in the end, the designs need to feel like a fair picture of Britain and its natural world.