Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
Business
Megan Nisbet

New £20 note comes out today - here's what it looks like and how to exchange old ones

The new £20 note has been released in the UK.

It was first unveiled last October but has finally been introduced to banks.

While the Queen features, the Bank of England has also included a portrait of English Romantic painter JMW Turner.

Here's everything you need to know about the new £20 note.

When does the £20 note come out?

The release date for the £20 note is here, with it hitting banks across the UK today, February 20.

While the Bank Of England has remained quiet about exactly where it will be distributing the first batches, Santander has confirmed they are stocking them.

The new £20 note has been released in the UK (Bank Of England)

According to BirminghamLive Santander will carry stock of the new note at 13 branches including Cardiff.

The Bank is reportedly expecting half of all ATMs across the UK to be dispensing the polymer £20 banknotes in just two weeks.

Who is on the new £20 note?

English painter JMW Turner features alongside the Queen.

JMW Turner was announced as the face of the note in April 2016.

He produced more than 550 oil paintings, 2,000 watercolours, and 30,000 sketches and drawings.

His self-portrait, which is currently displayed at Tate Britain and was painted in around 1779, will be on one side.

He became known as "the painter of light" and the words "light is therefore colour" will be positioned over the bottom right corner of his portrait.

What is the new £20 note made of?

It's made from flexible plastic material polymer and joins the Winston Churchill £5 note and the Jane Austen £10.

A new £50 note featuring Alan Turing will be issued in 2021.

Do I need to exchange old £20 notes?

No, you will still be able to use them until the Bank of England announces an official withdrawal date.

There's usually a six month period after the withdrawal date is announced in which you can get rid of your old ones.

The simplest way to exchange old notes is to deposit them with your bank.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.