The Top 10 Best Charity Shops In London

It’s not hyperbolic to say I’ve visited 1,000s of charity shops in my life time. From whizzing around the secondhand shops with my granny as a child (we called it knicky-knacky-nooing) to teenage solo missions over the river, to Chelsea and the posh thrift shops filled with vintage designer treasures; there has never been a time in my life where I’ve passed up the opportunity for a rummage. I’ve loved every minute and have acquired an encyclopaedic knowledge of vintage fashion brands and the corresponding style history in the process. Not all shops are brilliant but they’re all memorable and I find inspiration whenever I step foot inside one of them. Below, is the list of my favourite stores to visit and if you haven’t been to any of these on the list, I suggest you make a plan to do so, maybe I’ll see you there?

1. All Aboard, 83 Streatham High Road, London, SW16 1PH (Monday to Saturday 9.30-5.30, Sunday 11-4)

I have been coming to this shop since I was a teenager and its current iteration is my favourite. Managed by a husband and wife team, this jolly, no-nonsense store is filled with high quality preloved product at really hard to beat prices. Sometimes you’ll find a 00s Prada suede bag for £300 winking in the window, other times you can spot Ferragamo pumps for £10 and YSL scarves for £25. Plus, tops start at £2.50 and coats from £5. Fresh stock arrives every Thursday from other All Aboard stores and whatever you are looking for, the team are always happy to help.

2. British Red Cross, 69-71 Old Church Street, London, SW3 5BS (Monday 10-6, Sunday 12-5)

This shop means a lot to me. For over 20 years, it’s been the space where I’ve found the most incredible vintage designer fashion and in 2017, it’s where I decided to switch careers from fashion journalism to charity retail, becoming a volunteer, then assistant manager of the store. This large, open plan venue receives seriously good donations; every brand you can think of has been donated here. Each year in December the shop hosts a special shopping event where the very best pieces donated that year are available for sale; think, Hermes Constance bags, vintage Chanel tweed suits, and Yves Saint Laurent safari suits. Whenever you visit there is always something to feast your eyes on.

3. Fara, 26 Gloucester Road, South Kensington, SW7 4RB (Monday to Sunday 10-6)

Fara’s shops don’t have the most kerb appeal, the windows can be a little cluttered, but they make up for it in the stock they sell and the prices they sell their stock at. This South Ken enclave is filled floor to ceiling with colourful, secondhand treats. Normally the designer ware is hung from the walls with handwritten priced tags, wrapped around the hanger. The lower ground floor is taken up with all things homeware related. Think, cut glass crystalware, funky colour block table mats, and dinner services from every era. There are three other charity shops on the same road, too. Make sure you visit every single one.

4. All Aboard, 616 Finchley Road, NW11 7RR (Monday to Saturday 9.30-5.30, Sunday 10-4)

This the original store, All Aboard, first opened in 1987, to raise funds for UK registered charities. This store is packed to the gills with stock. It can be hard to navigate and you do need to closely examine everything you buy for signs of wear, as the quality of the items for sale can be a little varied. But, I have scored incredible vintage designer fashion; from Celine silk blouses, to Charles Jourdan suede heels, and Ferragammo jackets. I plan a visit every month or so, it’s just too hard to stay away.

5. Cancer Research, 871 Finchley Road, NW11 8RR (Monday to Saturday 9.30-5.30, Sunday 11-5)

Golders Green is a fairly new thrifting ground for me and this Cancer Research store is the reason why I travel for an hour on the tube to get there. It is packed with designer, vintage and retro finds; on my first visit I spotted a pair of 80s Chanel two tone leather pumps for £35, a Nanni rhinestone belt for £20, and a Windsmoor pea coat for £25.

6. Barnardos, 7 George Street, London, W1U 3QH (Monday 10-6, Sunday 11-5)

Marylebone high street is the destination for secondhand thrills and tucked around the corner is Barnardos, a shop I could quite happily spend an entire afternoon in. The store is fairly small and the rails not overly jammed with stock (a good thing). The stock is what stands it apart from the rest; 00s Bottega Veneta dresses, swing next to Maje playsuits and Balenciaga knits. The prices reflect the condition of the garments. My favourite buy was a pair of Roger Vivier bubble gum pink patent leather pumps for £15.

7. Oxfam, 202b Kensington High Street, London W8 7RG (Monday to Saturday 9.30-5.30, Sunday 12-5)

Every time I visit this branch of Oxfam, I leave with a smile on my face, as well as a purchase or two. The designer label quota is high here, which is to be expected and the prices are higher than the average secondhand store but not over–the-top. It’s normal to see shoes by brands like Walter Steiger, Jimmy Choo or Chloe with price tags of £40 and higher. The glass cabinets towards the back of the shop display treasures of vintage Christian Dior necklaces, Edwardian sterling silver chain purses and first edition books. The staff couldn’t be more helpful.

8. St Christopher’s, 78 High Street, Bromley, BR1 1EW, (Monday to Saturday 9-5, Sunday 11-4)

Bromley high street’s charity shops are filled with great quality fashion and homeware at very reasonable prices. A notable mention must go to St Christopher’s Hospice, a local charity whose stores are merchandised by colour and strike the perfect balance between slick store schemes and old school rummagibility. A recent visit found me walking out with the door with a 90s Wallis trench coat and a mens linen blazer by Italian luxury brand, Brioni.

9. Mary’s Living And Giving, 10 Montpelier Vale, Blackheath, London, SE3 OTA (Monday to Saturday 10-6, Sunday 10-4)

This beautifully presented store is a pleasure to shop in. The shop is well merchandised and the stock is an interesting mix of high street, designer and a little vintage. They host shopping events throughout the year and receive really good donations. I’m still haunted by the Hermes Kelly bag donated by the brand that the shop sold for £299. I missed it by seconds!

10. Cancer Research, 75 Hampstead High Street, London, NW3 1QX (Monday to Saturday 9.30-5.30, Sunday 12-6)

This store is in the heart of the village and always has a tight edit of contemporary and designer fashions on offer. The prices are fair and the staff welcoming. It’s close by to Hampstead’s much loved consignment store, NW3, too. Be sure to check it out while you’re there.