Originally Posted by
headinclouds
Reviving this older thread since it is now past the due date to use paper 20 or 50 GBP notes. I have 1 50 and 2 20 GBP notes. The BOE website lists a very complex way to get the value of the currency if you are a UK citizen and have a UK bank account. I'm going to the UK in mid-April and would like to use these notes. I read that one can go to some major post offices to exchange these notes. I am a USA tourist and don't want to lose the value of these notes even though the GBP has fallen a lot recently. I also have a bunch of 5 GBP notes which look like plastic. I assume that these 5 GBP notes are legal tender.
You don't need to be a British citizen to exchange the notes at the Bank of England.
If you only have £90 the BOE will exchange them without any problems. The warning about queues is slightly excessive but you should still try to go before 10am, and hope it's not a popular day. If a participating post office is more convenient, go there instead, but there may be long queues too.
£5 plastic notes are spendable. A minority of merchants, more likely in London, do not accept cash any more.