Bank of England to Replace Historic Figures With Wildlife

The Bank of England has announced a major design shift for its next series of banknotes, revealing that images of British wildlife will replace historical figures on the reverse side of future notes. The decision was confirmed on March 11, 2026, following a public consultation on potential themes for the next generation of pound banknotes.

For more than five decades, the Bank of England has featured prominent historical figures such as William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Alan Turing and former Prime Minister Winston Churchill on its banknotes. Under the new approach, these figures will be replaced by imagery highlighting the United Kingdom’s native wildlife and natural environment. The portrait of King Charles will continue to appear on the front of the notes.

According to the central bank, the change reflects strong public support for a nature-based theme during last year’s consultation process. Officials noted that wildlife imagery can help celebrate the country’s biodiversity while also supporting the development of banknotes with clearer and more recognizable security features.

The Bank of England plans to launch a second public consultation in the summer of 2026 to gather suggestions on which specific animals and elements of British wildlife should appear on the new banknote series. The initiative aims to create designs that both represent the UK’s natural heritage and enhance the security and accessibility of its currency.