From clothing and accessories to homeware and books, London’s charity shops are filled with pre-loved treasures waiting to be discovered. Each shop has its own character and cause, contributing to a range of charitable initiatives, from supporting the homeless to promoting mental health. Whether you’re hunting for vintage fashion, seeking affordable finds for your home, or simply want to give back while shopping, the city’s charity shops provide a diverse and meaningful way to shop sustainably and with purpose. Here’s our guide to the best secondhand shops to visit in London.
(WA=Wheelchair Accessible)
Image Courtesy of Oxfam
Oxfam Boutique – Westbourne Grove
First on our list of the best secondhand shops to visit in London is Oxfam Boutique on Westbourne Grove. This charity shop, near Portobello Road Market, is the place to go for high-quality men’s and women’s clothes, accessories, and homeware. Notting Hill is an affluent area of London, so you can expect to find all kinds of designer and high-street labels at more affordable prices. As for clothing, there’s everything from shirts, jeans, and suits to dresses, tops, jeans, and skirts. It was once also ranked in the list of London’s top 50 boutiques by Evening Standard Magazine. Pair your charity shop endeavour with a trip to the neighbouring Portobello Road Market, where you can pick up even more secondhand treasures and browse the wide selection of independent boutiques that line the long stretch of the road.
Oxfam Boutique | Notting Hill
Image Courtesy of FARA
FARA – Chiswick
A short stroll from Turnham Green station, FARA Chiswick sells secondhand items to eco-conscious locals and avid thrifters. Whether you prioritise sustainability or enjoy seeking out pre-loved gems nobody else has, you’ll probably find something suitable at FARA in Chiswick. From clothing and accessories to shoes, books, and more, rummage through the shelves and rails of pre-loved stuff, knowing that with every purchase, you are contributing to supporting the charity’s initiatives in Romania. Fara translates to “without” in Romanian, which is apt since they are committed to supporting and transforming the lives of vulnerable children and young people in Romania.
FARA | Chiswick | WA
Image Courtesy of Shelter via King’s Cross
Boutique by Shelter – Coal’s Drop Yard
Experience an unparalleled shopping trip in Coal’s Drop Yard at the Shelter by Boutique flagship store in King’s Cross. Once a Victorian coal power hub, the area has since been transformed by architect Thomas Heatherwick, turning Coal’s Drop Yard into a mecca for shopping in London. You’ll find rails curated with donated secondhand items, including designer, vintage, and high-street clothing, at a fraction of the cost of buying it new. With every purchase, the boutique uses profits to fight homelessness.
Boutique by Shelter | King’s Cross | WA
The British Heart Foundation – Balham
At the British Heart Foundation Balham store, shopping is paired with a genuine heartfelt mission. They stock a diverse collection of clothing, accessories, and homeware, all thoughtfully handpicked and displayed. With each purchase, you’ll directly support life-saving research into heart and circulatory diseases. Discover unique treasures all while joining the British Heart Foundation’s commitment to healthier hearts around the UK.
The British Heart Foundation | Balham | WA
Image Courtesy of Mary’s Living and Giving Shop
Mary’s Living and Giving Shop – Primrose Hill
Mary’s Living and Giving Shop, nestled in the heart of Primrose Hill, is a treasure trove of pre-loved fashion, carefully curated to offer a blend of stylish items for you to purchase sustainably. Primrose Hill is renowned for being one of the more affluent areas in London, so you’re likely to find a fair few pre-loved designer goodies amongst the rails, making the shop a haven for fashion enthusiasts and conscious shoppers alike. With each purchase, you contribute to initiatives supporting Save the Children’s life-changing programs.
Mary’s Living and Giving Shop | Primrose Hill
Image Courtesy of Mind
Mind – Stoke Newington
Mind on the renowned Church Street in Stoke Newington is the ultimate place to nab a secondhand bargain. Stokey, as locals lovingly call it, is home to a creative, stylish crowd, so you’re likely to find some trendy pre-loved bits hanging amongst the items here. Plus, everything you purchase will help Mind’s fight for better mental health. Wander to the nearby 215 Hackney café post-shop to enjoy some Middle Eastern fare and a coffee – here, they are committed to donating 20% of their profits to Warchild to help children worldwide affected by wars.
Mind | Stoke Newington
Image Courtesy of Crisis
Crisis – Dalston
The Crisis charity shop in Dalston works to support homeless individuals, offering vital support, resources, and opportunities using the profits made at their charity shops around London. The Dalston shop stocks all sorts, including pre-loved clothing, accessories, shoes, crockery, homeware, paintings and more; just swing by to see what they have in stock. The Dusty Knuckle Bakery is also just down the road, they serve the best focaccia sandwiches, and through training and mentorship programmes, they support young people at risk of long-term criminality or unemployment to gain the skills to live an independent life.
Crisis | Dalston
Image Courtesy of Sense
Sense – Hackney
If you know anything about London Fields, you might know that it’s home to some of the city’s trendiest locals, so it’s no surprise that the charity shops here are filled with stylish pre-loved clothing, including the shop on Mare Street. Rummage through the rails of pre-loved goodies to find your next funky festival outfit, or see what secondhand items they’ve got lying around. From sensory experiences and communication assistance to community integration, Sense Charity is dedicated to enhancing lives and creating inclusive spaces.
Sense | London Fields
Image Courtesy of TRAID
TRAID – Clapham Junction
Last on our list of the best secondhand shops to visit in London is TRAID in Clapham, where style meets sustainability. Browse through a curated collection of pre-loved fashion treasures, from timeless classics to one-off vintage finds. Every purchase you make supports TRAID’s mission to embrace sustainable fashion over fleeting trends, reflected by their name, which stands for ‘Textile Reuse and International Development.’ After you’ve nabbed yourself a bargain, take a stroll around the leafy Clapham Common, which is a mere 8-minute walk away.
TRAID | Clapham Junction
By the way, most of these charities have shops in other parts of London too, but these are our favourite locations.
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