UK Banknotes set for major redesign with the public’s help!
It’s official, a brand new series of UK banknotes is on the horizon, and for the first time in over 50 years, they’re getting a major redesign. But what’s even more exciting is that the public has been invited to help choose the theme!
As collectors, we know how thrilling it is when new coins are issued, especially when we get the chance to have our say on the designs – such as the hugely popular 2011 Olympic 50ps that were designed by members of the public. With UK banknotes now getting new designs, get ready to feel that excitement all over again as YOU can influence what appears on the next generation of £5, £10, £20, and £50 notes!
From Churchill to Turing…but what’s next?
Since the 1970s, UK banknotes have proudly showcased some of the UK’s most iconic historical figures. From Sir Winston Churchill to Jane Austen, JMW Turner and Alan Turing, these individuals have all helped define our cultural legacy.
Image Credit: Bank of England
But now, the Bank of England is considering moving beyond portraits to explore new and imaginative themes. While famous Britons aren’t off the table entirely, the idea is to broaden the scope and create something that truly captures the spirit of the UK.
Six key themes
The Bank of England has identified six exciting themes that the public were able to vote for, and they even opened the floor to suggestions of your own.
Chief Cashier of the Bank of England, Victoria Cleland, said “Banknotes are more than just an important means of payment, they serve as a symbolic representation of our collective national identity and an opportunity to celebrate the UK.”
Just like the coins we love to collect, each banknote tells a story, and with over 4.7 billion notes currently in circulation (worth £86 billion!), your input could be part of something truly lasting.
The key themes being considered:
- Notable Historical Figures
Celebrating the people who helped shape Britain’s story. - Nature
From British birds and butterflies to rivers and rolling hills. - Architecture & Landmarks
Think iconic buildings, bridges, and castles across the UK. - Arts, Culture & Sport
Food, film, fashion, music, literature…and even sport! - Noteworthy Events
Historic milestones, social movements, and defining moments. - Innovation
Scientific breakthroughs, engineering feats and technological firsts.
What collectors are saying so far
The BBC reported that within just one day since the news broke, they received over 2,000 responses regarding the new banknote designs. Great ships, famous landmarks, classic TV characters and vintage trains were amongst the most popular suggestions.
The comments have been flooding in at Change Checker too, here’s a sample of what collectors have been saying.
Interestingly, an incredible number of submissions are coming from young people, showing that the younger generation still value the nation’s physical money. You can read more about young people’s designs here >>
Have your say
The public consultation closed on 31st July 2025, and the final decision will rest with the Bank’s Governor.
What would you like to see? Let us know what you’re voting for in the comments!
Safely store your banknote collection
Already have an impression banknote collection? You can securely store and display them in the Change Checker Complete Polymer Banknote Collecting Pack, which includes spaces for King Charles III banknotes!
The planets in our solar system, our closest & oldest extraterrestrial neighbours – space , the one great chance for the survival of humanity.
We should have one of Princess Diana or Margaret Thatcher
We are a union of 4 country’s so that in mind, could we have a note with the 4 emblems of each country on a back drop of the Union Jack. Im sure your designers could do a lot with this theme. It would be an all inclusive piece of art work in everyone purse or wallet and a reminder every time it was spent of who we are ” The Great Britons”. Good luck with your project. I will be looking forward to seeing the finished item.
How about our union jack flag on all notes
It will make a change from famous figures,
Union jack with the kings crown
& Have bright colours
Not david attenborough, his carbon footprint is ridiculous. Don’t bother changing them, it is a total waste of time and money, as less and less people use actual cash.
Fashion. Britain is known for music and fashion. Skinhead, Punks, Mods, Rockers, Ska, Reggae, Oi, Rocksteady, Punk. Britain is famous for it you know
Nature.. following on from the new King Charles coin’s .. with David Attenborough on the back.
Sir David Attenborough, nature theme. WWF?
Rodney and Dell Trotter
Oasis Reunion £10 note
An old school mini cooper with Michael Caine on it
Trains – steam ,diesel , electric
Seeing as it’s 200 years of the Railway
Nature , maybe endangered species
Poppies for Remembrance Sunday, for all the men and women who gave their lives to save our country and gave us our freedom
Historical uk history
David Attenborough deserves to be on a note for all he does
Architecture and landmarks
Nature
Innovation
noble history figurines
note worthy events
princess diana certainly deserves a term in polymer she’ll always be my true queen
Yes absolutely finally someone with a brain
Nature, events and innovation….foe me in that order.
David Attenborough
Landmarks
London eye
Angle of the north
Stonehenge
Giants causeway
Snowdon
Etc etc
100% agree to not being sport related
I would also like to see Sir David Attenborough on a note. For the others why not add Maggie Smith, Diana Spencer, Freddie Mercury, or Amy Winehouse
How about doing like the passport pages,iconic British landmarks,wildlife andculture
I agree with Noel, David Attenborough and also Tyneham Village, it would make a lovely picture after all the residents were evacuated its got so much history and memories
David Attenborough please for nature.
David Attenborough
Stephen Hawkins
I would honestly keep Winston Churchill so we never forget.
our beloved Queen Elizabeth II (anyone greater in our history?)
Different buses over the years.
Science and historical figures or points in history,iconic landscapes/landmarks,possibly printing of the notes with the flags of each part of the u.k on them,so n.i gets so many ones with the ulster or n.i flag,bank of Scotland gets so many with Scottish flag,Wales gets so many with dragon etc,then people can try and acquire them all
Waste of money. Are they going let present notes run along side the new ones?
Hi J, we’re assuming that in line with King Charles III’s vision for a more sustainable future, these new notes will only enter circulation when old ones become worn and need replacing, meaning that both old and new notes will co-circulation. However, the Bank of England could be planning a complete refresh of our banknotes, replacing all currently circulating notes, they haven’t yet specified.
I hope that helps, Kate
Art, culture & sport.
It should be Nature. Like birds, butterfly and animals.
Architecture and landmarks
Nature
Innovation
Either of those. Please NOT sport!
Menai bridge
I know he’s not dead yet but David Attenborough should be on a note for his life of telling us about nature and wildlife documentaries.