Where to find the best charity shops in the UK: Get a YSL belt for £9 and a Ralph Lauren jacket for less than £20 after Hollywood A-listers were spotted at Oxfam

Once associated with naff hand-me-downs, ‘grandma’ clothing and that distinctive musty smell, charity shops have had a serious image overhaul in recent years.

Among those making secondhand shopping cool are Gen Z and Millennial shoppers, who proudly show off their finds while turning away from fast fashion and its environmental impact – and the trend has reached even Hollywood royalty.

This week Reese Witherspoon, 50, and Laura Dern, 59, blended in with the well-heeled locals of London’s Notting Hill as they browsed an Oxfam store during their visit to the capital.

They’re far from the only celebrities embracing the bargain hunt, with Jada Pinkett Smith and her children Jaden and Willow often spotted thrifting, while Florence Welch and Emma Watson advocate for sustainable fashion and repurposing clothes.

And celebrities aren’t just shopping in charity shops – they’re donating to them, too.  

David and Victoria Beckham famously sent 20 boxes of designer clothes and shoes to a British Red Cross shop in Chelsea, while Dame Joan Collins has donated hundreds of pieces from her wardrobe, including Chanel and other designer labels.

So, with a little luck, you really could walk away with – or perhaps you already own – a celebrity cast-off without having to pay the celebrity price tag.

From designer labels to rare antiques, we reveal the best charity shops across the UK for finding hidden gems at a fraction of the price.

London

Mary’s Living & Giving, Primrose Hill 

Set in one of London’s most affluent neighbourhoods and created by retail expert Mary Portas, this quaint yet upmarket Save The Children shop is known for its chic, bohemian and luxurious shopping experience.

It’s especially worth checking out for pre-loved designer coats, handbags, shoes and premium High Street clothing, as well as curated home decor, jewellery, 100 per cent wool scarves and £2 books.

For the best chance of snapping up the best ‘just put out’ gems, head there soon after opening on quieter days like Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

On Google, one loyal shopper wrote in a review: ‘This shop is fast becoming a gem of Primrose Hill. Hidden away but worth digging for it – and no need to rush, it’s not over filled or cluttered.’

Another customer said they had found a ‘lovely shirt and pair of Mulberry London trousers’ for just £45.

Retromania, Pimlico

Run by children’s charity FARA, Retromania specialises in vintage clothing and accessories, as well as plenty of ‘fairycore’ and fantasywear.

Shoppers can expect retro dresses, leather jackets, denim, knitwear, handbags and jewellery, with pieces from different decades – including Victorian-style dresses, capes and corsets – mixed in with contemporary secondhand fashion.

Weekday mornings between 10am and 12pm are the best time to visit, while weekday afternoons offer a ‘second best’ option if mornings don’t work.

Shoppers have sung praises of the store’s ‘colour-coordinated racks’, ‘awesome bits of history’ and range of ‘genuine vintage Gucci, YSL, Chanel and Hermes’ items.

British Red Cross, Chelsea 

The Chelsea branch of British Red Cross is a strong option for shoppers into designer clothing and accessories, with donations reflecting the affluent area around it.

In 2013, David and Victoria Beckham famously donated 20 boxes of clothes and shoes to the shop, including Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik and Dolce & Gabbana, so shoppers could potentially find everything from designer shoes to tailored clothing.

One bargain-hunter wrote on Google: ‘Items are more expensive that most charity shops but they are stocked with great items.

‘I have managed to pick up a Valentino, Lanvin, Zegna and Paul Smith Suit fitting me perfectly for around £200 which is very good for wearing to interviews, work meetings etc. All for a very good cause and staff are friendly.’

Oxford 

The Retro Room 

The Retro Room focuses on vintage and secondhand fashion, with rails of vintage dresses, coats, knitwear, denim and accessories ‘to suit every budget’.

Designer and one-of-a-kind pieces – from colourful 60s sets to Alexander McQueen ballgowns – can also turn up, making it a better choice for shoppers looking for something less familiar than the usual High Street labels.

One shopper commended the shop’s ‘wonderful collection of quirky, genuine retro clothes’ while another boasted of a ‘beautiful vintage red YSL belt’ they’d managed to snap up for just £9.

Antiques on High 

Antiques on High is for shoppers who want to look beyond clothing. As England’s largest multi-award winning High Street antiques retailer, it is not one to miss when visiting Oxford.

Alongside vintage dresses, bags and jewellery, the store sells antique furniture, homeware, paintings, ornaments and other curiosities – including vintage Japanese kimonos, dollhouses and handcrafted, colourful cushion covers and fridge magnets.

One person raved online: ‘There’s so much to explore here – a brilliant mix of antiques, collectables and ephemera covering all genres and styles. It’s the kind of place you can happily spend ages browsing and still spot something new each visit.’

Bristol

Mary’s Living & Giving, Clifton Village

This Clifton Village shop benefits from its affluent location just two miles north-west of Bristol’s city centre, with designer and premium High Street clothing, handbags, shoes and accessories among donations.

The inside of this award-winning shop has a bold, whimsical design that separates itself from the usual dimly lit surroundings in charity shops. Fake grass lines the floor, plants hang from shelves and display areas are painted a vivid royal blue.

Previous finds in the shop have included brands such as Ralph Lauren, so it is worth checking the rails for higher-end pieces at lower prices.

One person wrote online: ‘An absolutely gorgeous charity shop,’ while another said:  ‘There is a sign outside saying “You would not believe this is a charity shop”, it is well laid out, very smart with beautiful clothes, many of which are new I believe.’

RePsycho, Rhubard Jumble and ClothingXChange, Gloucester Road 

As the 1.7 mile stretch running through the heart of the city, Gloucester Road is widely known for being home to one of the longest rows of independent shops in Europe – charity shops included.

You’re treated to endless secondhand goods including rare vintage Levis and Harley-Davidson jackets at the eclectic RePsycho, a rotating collection of retrowear at Rhubarb Jumble as well as plaid shirts and Diesel T-shirts at ClothingXChange.

Hailing Rhubard Jumble as the ‘best vintage shop in Bristol by far’, one happy shopper wrote: ‘An array of fabulous fabrics, tweedy treasures, original ornaments and I have to say, a mens section to make an eyeball bulge!

‘Found the most fantastically priced lined waistcoats you could not imagine. Worthwhile the frequent visit as you never know what you might dig up in that Aladdin’s cave jumble.’

Brighton 

ALALA 

ALALA – a charity shop that began with helping children orphaned by natural disasters – has a large mixture of donated clothing and accessories, from dresses and jackets to shoes and handbags.

Its less curated approach means vintage pieces, unusual prints and occasional designer labels can be found alongside more affordable High Street clothing.

To help fund several of its non-for-profit efforts, including providing clean water to members of the Maasai tribe in Tanzania, the shop also sells its own merchandise, including T-shirts with positive messages like ‘All for Love and Love for All’.

The Friends Shop, St James’ Street 

Named by Vogue as one of the best secondhand charity shops in the UK, The Friends Shop has a broad selection of clothes – including dresses, coats, knitwear and accessories – alongside homeware and bric-a-brac. 

Vintage pieces and unusual accessories can turn up among the more contemporary donations, including a collection of Thomas Hardy books which sold for around £150.

Some vintage football shirts and a 1980s Hermes silk scarf said to be worth hundreds of pounds have also appeared at the store.

When The Argus visited the store back in 2020, they had managed to pick up red corduroy Gap trousers, a H&M shirt and a Ralph Lauren jacket for a total of £20.

Bath  

Dorothy House

Dorothy House’s Bath shops are worth checking for quality clothing, shoes, handbags and homeware.

Previous donations have included vintage Laura Ashley and other premium labels, while the shops also sell furniture, books and bric-a-brac.

Among its most popular items are furniture like sofas and clean mattresses, with delivery costs deemed ‘reasonable’ by shoppers.

One person wrote on Google: ‘Fantastic service. You organised sofa delivered they text in the morning and was delivered in the time and date. Plus, the sofa is an absolute bargain as it was really sturdy, hardly used and by a well-known maker.’

Cambridge 

Salvation Army, Tenison Road 

The main shop sells clothing, shoes, toys and household goods – but the separate barn is the real draw for anyone shopping for the home. 

It stocks furniture, musical instruments and LPs, so shoppers can find everything from secondhand sofas and cabinets to old vinyl records.

On select days, shoppers can also expect bake sales serving home-baked goodies and drinks.

In an online review, one visitor wrote: ‘Always a great to selection of Bric-a-brac, CDs, DVDs and one of the few charity shops that still sells VHS video tapes (and a good selection at that).’

Nottingham

Barnardo’s, Angel Row 

Barnardo’s has a broad selection of donated clothes, offering dresses, jackets, jeans, shoes and handbags alongside jewellery and accessories. 

Books, toys and homeware also feature, so it is worth checking the whole shop rather than sticking to the clothing rails.

One shopper praised the shop’s offerings on Google, saying: ‘Lots of adult clothes, a mix of prices, a chilled vibe here, and ram-packed with stock.’

Manchester

Oxfam Originals, Northern Quarter

Currently a hit on TikTok with Gen Zs and Millennials, this Northern Quarter branch is aimed more towards fashion-conscious shoppers, with vintage denim, leather jackets, sportswear, graphic T-shirts, dresses and accessories among the stock.

It is also worth checking for unusual vintage pieces that would be harder to find in a conventional charity shop.

A shopper said online: ‘One of the best places to go in Manchester for vintage and unique clothing at an affordable price. All the staff are so friendly and helpful.’

Another said: ‘Their dress selection is top notch as well – I got a German maiden dress with a tapestry vest the other day for like £25 which is unheard of.’ 

A third wrote: ‘I was looking for something to wear for a 1940 themed wedding and the two ladies helped kit me out with everything and also they helped my husband and so did the gentleman.’

Mind, Didsbury 

Didsbury’s affluent surroundings mean this Mind shop often receives better-quality clothing and accessories, from wool coats and leather handbags to premium High Street dresses and shoes. 

Books, homeware and other household donations are also sold, but it especially seems to be a hit with parents with its generous amount of kids’ clothing and toys. 

One wrote online: ‘This charity shop has many types of products especially clothes and plush toys. All of the volunteers are helpful and friendly. I come here a lot and it is a nice shop to go to.’

Barnardo’s, Ashton-under-Lyne 

This branch has a more traditional mix of donated fashion and household goods, including dresses, coats, shoes, bags, books, toys and homeware.

The selection changes regularly, so designer and vintage pieces are more a case of luck than a guarantee.

However, loyal shoppers can’t get enough of what they call ‘the best charity shop in Manchester’.

One parent said: ‘Shop floor is always clean and reinvented with little cute areas for the children to colour, Prices are spot on.’

Another wrote: ‘I have been to this charity shop many, many times. Mostly all clothes are £1 aside from some exceptions for coats (£2?) and branded items (£5). They also have lots of household items, DVDs, books and kids toys.’

Liverpool

Oxfam, Bold Street

The Bold Street shop has clothing, shoes and accessories alongside books and records, making it a good option for both fashion and music fans.

Vintage dresses, denim, jackets and handbags can also appear alongside High Street and designer donations.

Although locals deem some items like manga comics to be a ‘bit pricey’, the shop overall appears to be a hit, with many shoppers praising its ‘great collection’ of books, ‘reasonable’ clothing costs.

Mind 

Mind’s Liverpool shops stock dresses, coats, jeans, shoes and accessories, with occasional designer labels among the High Street donations. 

Books, DVDs and homeware are also available, giving shoppers plenty to browse beyond fashion.

The shop has earnt a string of five-star reviews online, with loyal customers calling it the ‘best chazza in Liverpool’.

One person said: ‘Absolutely love this charity shop I always find bargains galore when in here and so does my kids.

‘Had to go in for a wee look on Friday when we flew in and found some lovely clothes. Great prices and well laid out, they have the shop and sizes colour coordinated so it’s easy to find sizes and kids section, well organised…’ 

Edinburgh

Shelter, Stockbridge

The Stockbridge branch of Shelter is worth checking for vintage dresses, wool coats, knitwear, handbags, jewellery and homeware. 

Its location in an affluent part of Edinburgh means higher-end donations can appear alongside the usual charity shop stock.

The shop is especially commended for its ‘fantastic’ selection of books, with one shopper writing: ‘A really great find! The selection they have is really super. 

‘I found some great new economics books for only £3 a piece and also got some old penguins too. Will definitely be back here again soon.’

Armstrongs Vintage 

Armstrongs is a vintage retailer rather than a charity shop, but is one of Edinburgh’s best-known secondhand destinations. 

Its densely packed rails include vintage dresses, cashmere, coats, leather jackets, knitwear and accessories from different decades.

Giving a detailed account of their visit to the store, a delighted customer wrote: ‘There’s a wide variety of vintage items, and a nice mix of larger sizes! It’s also just a beautiful shop with lots of interesting decor, which we were informed is part of the owner’s personal collection!

‘We had a lovely time, I bought 2 jumpers and a Norwegian cardigan, and they’re doing if the contest clothes I have worn, as well as being beautiful! Totaled to ~£100, but they are incredibly good quality, beautiful items that’ll last a long time.’

Aberdeen

PDSA, Holburn Street 

The PDSA shop sells dresses, coats, shoes, handbags and accessories alongside books and homeware.

Designer pieces can appear among the cheaper rails, making it one for bargain hunters prepared to spend time looking through the stock.

But what makes this shop so special appears to be its staff, with several online reviews commending their ‘kind’ and ‘friendly’ nature. 

One person wrote: ‘The gear and staff best in Aberdeen hands down,’ while another said: ‘Staff are absolutely fabulous.’

Belfast

Northern Ireland Hospice Shop

This popular charity shop, located on the Shankill Road in the heart of the city, sells donated dresses, coats, shoes, handbags and accessories alongside books and homeware. 

Designer and vintage pieces occasionally appear, while the constantly changing stock means regular visits can pay off.

One person wrote on Google: ‘Brilliant wee place & super stock from ‘designer stuff’ to your every day’. 

British Red Cross

The Belfast branch has a broad selection of secondhand clothing, including dresses, coats, jeans, shoes and bags, jewellery, plus household goods.

Vintage and designer items from brands like Chanel, Valentino, Jaeger and St Michael can appear among donations, although the selection naturally varies.

Rated a stellar 4.9 out of 5 on Google, a shopper wrote: ‘Very nice vintage store. Loved the overall atmosphere there. Big selection of clothes and accessories. The prices were quite reasonable considering it is a Vintage store (T-shirt for 3-4£).’

Another said: ‘Bought 2 shirts and 1 sweater for 20 pounds in total. Amazing catch for good cause.’ 

Cardiff

Oxfam Boutique, St Mary Street

This is one of Cardiff’s stronger charity shops for designer fashion, with previous stock including Prada, Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger.

Shoppers can also find designer shoes, handbags, coats and accessories alongside more affordable pieces.

Oxfam Books & Music 

Rather than clothing, this shop specialises in secondhand books and music.

Its shelves include novels, art and photography books, cookbooks and other titles, while the music section carries records and CDs – making it a very useful stop for collectors.

One person wrote: ‘Very friendly knowledgeable staff. It’s great browsing the books and records. Bag a bargain AND support the charity.’

Another said: ‘My favourite bookshop in Cardiff. There are always great finds. You just need to look.’