What will our new banknotes look like?

Advances in digital payment technology has driven a decline in cash transactions in the UK but for around one in five people, cash is still the preferred method of payment. 

To help ensure that counterfeit levels remain low and to reflect modern England, the Bank of England is redesigning banknotes, which will mark the first major redesign in 50 years.¹

The next series of £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes could be influenced by the public, as the Bank of England encouraged public input on themes and image designs. The public consultation ran until the end of July 2025, so there may not be long to wait before a final decision is made and the designs are shared.

What themes will be featured on the new banknotes?

The new designs will still feature an image of the monarch, but a new set of themes were suggested by the Bank. These included:

• Notable historical figures
• Nature
• Architecture and landmarks
• Arts, culture and sport
• Noteworthy milestones
• Innovation

Historically, banknotes in England have featured celebrated figures including William Shakespeare and Sir Winston Churchill. The new design could still follow this theme but there is also a possibility that the design could take theme inspiration from other countries.

For example, landmark images are used in banknotes in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Cairngorms mountains are incorporated into the Scottish £5 banknote and Northern Ireland’s £10 note pictures Lough Erne. 

Some of the submitted designs shared by the Bank of England include an image of the Sycamore Gap tree, the Angel of the North sculpture and a dolphin.¹

The colour of banknotes could also see significant changes, potentially drawing from the latest designs introduced across the world. In 2024, the Bermuda Monetary Authority’s $5 note claimed the award for the International Bank Note Society’s bank note of the year.² 

The award-winning design has a colourful palette including pink, purple and yellow tones. It will be interesting to see whether the Bank of England favours a move away from the less elaborate designs we are used to seeing in England. 

When will the new banknotes be introduced?

The designs and theme ideas will be reviewed and a final decision on the designs will be made by the Bank of England’s governor Andrew Bailey. This is just the start of the process, as it can take several years for the complex process to be finalised.

Once the designs are agreed, notes go through a comprehensive testing phase to ensure that anti-counterfeiting technology is working correctly. The notes must also meet accessibility requirements, such as incorporating tactile features to ensure blind and partially sighted people are able to identify the value.

Once the vigorous testing processes have been completed, the next stage is printing the new banknotes. Currently, there are over 4.7 billion Bank of England notes in circulation, with a collective value of approximately £86billion.²

The roll-out of the new banknotes will then be gradually implemented, so it could be a few years before you see the new designs being dispensed from cash machines.

Sources

1. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgy7j02xzro

2. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4nn1d2vzxo

All the information in this article is correct as of the date of publishing. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors Euxton Mortgage Market. The information provided in this article, including text, graphics and images does not, and is not intended to, substitute advice; instead, all information, content and materials available in this article are for general informational purposes only. Information in this article may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information.

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August 2025