• London's best charity shops

  • By Maggie Davis. Additional research Keremi Gawade

  • Time Out rounds up the best charity shops by area

    London's best charity shops

    Salvation Army, W1


  • Central North South East West

    Central
    Central London is surprisingly good for charity shops – Marylebone High Street, Victoria and Pimlico are hot spots – but most are hidden away in clusters, so you need to know where to go.

    British Red Cross, Victoria
    This branch is packed with designer labels thanks to donations from wealthy locals. Brands currently in stock include Ralph Lauren, Armani for men and women (lots of it), Gucci and Christian Dior, plus Manolo Blahnik shoes. A selection of bric-à-brac, handbags and hats are also up for grabs alongside a range of ballgowns.
    British Red Cross, 85 Ebury St, SW1 (020 7730 2235) Victoria tube/rail. Open Mon-Fri 10am-5.30pm, Sat 10am-4pm. Feature continues

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    Cancer Research UK, Marylebone

    A high-quality selection of fashion and accessories, many of them in mint condition, can be found here. The shoes are particularly noteworthy.
    Cancer Research UK, 24 Marylebone High St, W1(020 7487 4986) Baker St tube. Open Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat, Sun 11am-5pm.

    FARA
    A small shop with an overbearingly pushy shopkeeper (don’t let that put you off) selling goods in aid of Romanian children. It specialises in an excellent range of kids’ and baby wear along with prams and buggies at bargain prices. There are two other FARA branches, including Retro Mania at 6 Tachbrook Street.
    FARA, 40 Upper Tachbrook St, SW1 (020 7630 7730) Pimlico tube. Open Mon-Fri 9.15am-5.15pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-5pm.

    01 CHSHP Oxfam.jpg
    Oxfam Menswear, W1

    Oxfam Menswear
    London’s sole menswear-only charity shop, selling a range of quality and designer items, including classic Savile Row and Italian designer suits. Recent brands found include Herbie Frogg of Jermyn Street, Hugo Boss and Gieves & Hawkes.
    Oxfam Menswear, 71 New Bond St, W1 (020 7493 5115) Bond St tube. Open Mon-Sat 10.30am-5.30pm.

    Salvation Army
    Two floors of sublime thrift. On the ground floor you can find brilliant shoes, including designer labels like Charles Jourdan, and great old ladies’ sandals. There are lots of faux-fur jackets, an abundance of 1970s dresses and skirts, and a fine selection of secondhand denim. Upstairs is a little more boutiquey, with luxurious finds such as floor-length fake-fur coats and glam evening bags – the latter can be snapped up for less than a tenner.
    Salvation Army, Princes St, W1 (020 7495 3958) Oxford Circus tube. Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm.

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10 comments

  1. Posted by Hannah on 01 Aug 2008 14:34

    Are any of the charity shops actually worth visiting then or are they all over priced ?

  2. Posted by Heron Holloway on 10 Jun 2008 16:37

    You should definitely check out the Red Cross shop just off the Kings Road - 69-71 Old Church Street, Kensington, SW3 5BS - famous for selling designer items at low prices.

  3. Posted by Anne on 09 Jun 2008 22:04

    Visiting london nesxt week and will be staying in the Kensington area,can you let me know of a few charity shops in this area please,
    many thanks.

  4. Posted by sheilana on 10 May 2008 20:08

    Animal Aid and Advice charity shop on the High Road near the Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley is still one of the cheapest around. Good mix of clothes,shoes, some books,tapes, etc and household, and occasional furniture.

  5. Posted by Marianne Goldner on 04 May 2008 18:08

    Have you never visited the Cancer Research shop in Putney?I think that that is one of the best in the area.

  6. Posted by LYN on 29 Apr 2008 12:58

    i totaly agree with the other comments about charity shops out priceing them selves. im disabled and on a low budget and i used to rely on the charity shops. but now its worth going into ordinary shops, as iv found they are cheeper. even when the sales are on orndinary shops are still a lot cheeper. how sad.

  7. Posted by rachel on 25 Apr 2008 09:57

    Totally agree - I was in Shelter and they were selling a 'medium' branded shirt for £30, when you can buy 3 for that price direct from the store!!! It seems like they will 'shoot the goose that lays the golden egg' I wont go in now, as they are far too pricey - much cheaper at somewhere like TK Max. It's still 'last season' but it's cheaper and unworn!

  8. Posted by Kerry on 27 Mar 2008 08:39

    I used to charity shop for clothes all the time, now I can't afford to anymore and can only get books and bric a brac. I've seen items in the Cancer Research you list in Angel that are priced higher than they would have been in the store new - many of the stores in 'high-end' places with lots of designer donations overcharge. £30 for a basic pair of name brand (but not designer) used jeans on Marylebone High Street?? They're having a laugh. Whatever happened to reasonably priced charity shops?

  9. Posted by Rachael on 12 Jun 2007 17:08

    Swapping is the hottest thing to do in 2007! Free fashion and fabulous company. .what more can a girl ask for! Check out hybird.co.uk to confirm your space for the next swap - 21st July and for further events...see you there!

  10. Posted by rona on 29 Mar 2007 15:46

    cheers for that love thier artcile buying dead men's shoes will check out
    www.youlovefashion.com

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