Help Redesign the UK’s Banknotes: Public Invited to Choose New Themes
A once-in-a-generation change is coming to the way we see and feel British money. The Bank of England has announced plans for a major redesign of our banknotes, and for the first time in over 50 years, you can help shape what they look like.
A National Icon, Reimagined
Since 1970, the reverse of Bank of England notes has showcased iconic historical figures—from Churchill to Austen, Turner to Turing. But now, in a bold, inclusive move, the Bank is opening the design process to public input.
The new series of £5, £10, £20, and £50 notes will retain the monarch on the front, but the theme on the reverse is up for discussion. And the options go well beyond famous faces.
Here are a few of the categories the Bank is inviting the public to vote on:
- Nature – Celebrate British flora, fauna, and landscapes.
- Innovation – Honour UK breakthroughs in science and technology.
- Architecture & Landmarks – Showcase castles, bridges, or iconic cityscapes.
- Arts, Culture & Sport – Recognise literature, cuisine, film, or athletic achievement.
- Historical Events & Movements – Highlight defining moments in our collective story.
Or, if you have your own idea, you’re free to propose that too.
Why This Matters to Collectors
For banknote and currency collectors, this is an incredibly rare and exciting moment. The forthcoming designs will mark the first new thematic direction since 1970, meaning the resulting notes could become instant modern classics.
Will we see the return of symbolic Britannia or a move toward the bold designs of other currencies—like Bermuda’s vibrant pink $5 note featuring a marlin, butterflies, and coastal scenery?
Whatever the final decision, this new series will surely become a collectible milestone, especially as physical cash becomes rarer in daily life.
How to Get Involved
The Bank of England is running a public consultation until the end of July. You can:
- Submit your theme suggestion via an online form on the Bank of England website
- Or write to them by post
Chief Cashier Victoria Cleland summed it up best:
“Banknotes are more than just a means of payment. They’re a symbolic representation of our national identity.”
Banknotes are little works of art—tiny time capsules tucked into wallets, passed hand to hand, preserved in collections. This redesign is more than a cosmetic change; it’s a chance to shape the cultural and historical story our currency tells.
As collectors, this is a unique moment to make our voices heard and leave a lasting mark on the notes that future generations may one day treasure.
What would you like to see? Let us know what you’re voting for in the comments!
Some people I would like to be considered- Christopher Lee, Rowan Atkinson, Christopher Colombus, King James 1604, William Shakespeare, All four of the Beatles, Charlie Chaplin, The Great Train Robbery, Ronnie and Reggie Kray
The King’s head on all. Then:
£5 note with Gareth Edwards (Rugby) representing Wales
£10 note with Mary Peters (Athletics) representing N. Ireland
£20 note Bobby Moore (Football) representing England
£50 note Jim Clark (Motor Racing F1) representing Scotland
I would like to see a note with Sir David Attenborough, or other important people who have contributed to our society and some important British landmarks such as the London skyline or the Angle of the North. Perhaps you could have a note celebrating Welsh, Scottish or Irish culture.
I think that Churchill absolutely must stay on the £5 as he is widely well respected, his role in modern British history is unmatched. Although you could add some fighter planes over the white cliffs of Dover symbolising the battle for Britain.
For the £10 note I would not change Jane Austen as she was a great female writer. But if you were to change perhaps Beatrix Potter as she was also a writer, plus a natural scientist, conservationist.
On the £20 note Turner is one of our greatest painters I think it would be unwise to remove him. But if you were to change the only alternative I would suggest Shakespeare and his Globe theatre.
Again I think it inappropriate to remove Alan Turing on the £50 note, although if you do change then perhaps Robert Stephenson and Rocket the first steam Train or Frank Whittle and his Turbo Jet engine, both are great British engineers.
Alternatively you could depict a momentous turning pointy in our history such as The Magna Carta, as it seeded modern democracy and the rule of law.
I would like to see:
1. A £100 Banknote, with a green colour featuring the previous monarch (in this case Elizabeth II)
2. The £20 Note is changed to Sir Isaac Newton
3. The £10 Note is changed to Florence Nightingale
4. The £5 note is changed to Sir Charles Darwin
Michael Faraday.
Mary Seacole.
John Edmonstone.
Rosalind Franklin.
These four individuals would be nice to see on new Bank notes with the 4 home nations flags and the commonwealth of nations flag in the background.
Above all think more of real people of country.
If representation of a country WHY IS IT NOT A CRIMINAL OFFENSE TO ACCEPT to refuse cash as legal tender…
I would like it outlawed to refuse cash at any time.
Any new notes introduced should honour our salt of earth trades people and near time represented all parts of uk not just England.. we have orange culture Scotland n NI.we have famous 4NI golfers.motorcyclist. football team.city hall.NORTHERN IRELAND FLAG SCOTS FLAG WELSH FLAG ENGLISH FLAG .words of national anthem.pipers.rugby champions.moris dancers.foods .play up indigenous more .
Hope it celebrates British greatness on so many fronts before it’s wiped out of our history!
I would like to see Architecture & Landmarks – Showcase castles, bridges, or iconic cityscapes, i would definitely like to see the Angel of the north on our bank notes.