Charity shops offer everything from vintage fashionwear to beloved books, and you can help support a good cause while doing your Christmas shop.
The team at vintage-loving brand Dr Martens have collated the number of boutique charity shop available in town, revealing the major hot spots for thrift shopping.
A spokesperson on behalf of Dr Martens said: “Thrift shopping is a great way to add unique pieces to your wardrobe for the holidays.
“Vintage clothing has made a comeback in recent years as it not only stands the test of time, but can be reinterpreted for generations to come.”
While it may come as no surprise, London has the most number of charity shops to peruse, totalling 443.
Best thrift stores in London
Nestled in the East End of London, you can find Beyond Retro in Bethnal Green.
Beyond Retro is the largest vintage retailer in all of the UK, but each part of its collection has been handpicked for its timeless quality.
Right in the centre of London, you have Rokit’s flagship store which came from humble beginnings.
Back in 1986, Rokit first made its appearance on the thrift scene by popping up as a stall in Camden market.
In west London, you have the chic Boutique by Shelter, designed by Wayne Hemingway and his team, in leafy Richmond.
Shelter is a registered charity that helps millions of people in the UK who are suffering from homelessness.
The second best UK town to go thrift shopping is Bristol, where you should head to the likes of Gloucester Road which is brimming with choice.
There are 114 charity shops to wander into if you are in Bristol, with some of the very best being:
Next is Nottingham, where the demand for vintage clothing is so high that a new thrift store opened earlier in the year.
Known as COW Thrift, the grand opening in July 2023 was another addition to the growing thrift scene after the success of Bubble Vintage.
You can find COW Thrift in Hockley, on the street leading on from Goose Gate.
Top UK towns for thrift shopping:
- London, 443 stores
- Bristol, 114 stores
- Nottingham, 110 stores
- Glasgow, 105 stores
- Birmingham, 91 stores
- Leeds, 83 stores
- Manchester, 78 stores
- Edinburgh, 72 stores
- Liverpool, 64 stores
- Sheffield, 60 stores
