Top ideas for new banknote design revealed: From Paddington Bear to 1966 World Cup

Sir David Attenborough, Paddington Bear and Sir Winston Churchill were among the public’s most popular suggestions for new banknote designs.

The proposals emerged as part of a freedom of information request submitted after the Bank of England’s new wildlife theme was criticized as “woke” by Reform England leader Nigel Farage.

Sir Winston, now featured on the £5 note, was the fourth most frequently suggested idea.

Meanwhile, respected broadcaster and environmental advocate Sir David, who will celebrate his 100th birthday next month, also stood out among the top applicants.

There were more than 1000 ideas related to the wildlife theme, making it the most popular topic.

Paddington Bear, guide dogs and the world-famous Sycamore Gap tree, which was illegally cut down in September 2023, were also among the public’s favorites.

Other suggestions included the 1966 World Cup, the NHS and castles and cathedrals.

Reacting to last month’s announcement that wildlife would feature in the notes, Mr Farage said replacing Sir Winston with a “picture of a beaver” was “the definition of woke”.

In a video published on

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said last month that changing names, including Sir Winston, was “erasing our history”.

He said: “If anything, I think more historical figures should be put on banknotes. I’d love to see Margaret Thatcher on a banknote. I think she was Britain’s greatest peacetime prime minister.”

“Changing pictures and putting wild animals on them is stupid. I absolutely do not support it.”

The Bank of England invited people to submit their own theme ideas in July last year.

The bank also asked the public to choose themes from a list of six options, including nature, architecture and landmarks, important historical figures, art, culture and sport, innovation and notable milestones, during the consultation period, which received more than 44,000 responses.

Nature was the top theme, with 60 percent of respondents choosing nature as one of their preferred topics.

Another consultation will be held this summer to decide which wildlife to feature on banknotes.

Current banknotes feature the King or the late Queen Elizabeth II on the reverse of the £5 note, with Sir Winston on the reverse, Jane Austen on the £10 note, JMW Turner on the £20 note and Alan Turing on the £50 note. Contains a portrait of Elizabeth.

Victoria Cleland, chief cashier at the Bank of England, said: “I was delighted with the level of public engagement during our banknote consultations last year. The response underlines just how important banknotes are to people.”

“The key to introducing a new banknote series is always to improve resistance to counterfeiting, but it also provides the opportunity to celebrate different aspects of the UK.

“Nature is an excellent choice for banknote authentication and means we can showcase the UK’s rich and diverse wildlife on the next series of banknotes.”

Below you can find the 28 most mentioned themes in the public participation meeting, in order of popularity: