Do you find yourself a shopaholic but running out of budget? Well, No worries! If you are studying in London, this blog is just for you. In this blog, we will be providing you with some of the amazing thrift stores in London. We will also tell you about the best areas you may head to for thrift shopping in London. Also, Don’t miss the tips for thrift shopping in London.
Thrift stores, also known as charity shops or second-hand stores, offer a wide range of pre-loved items and unique fashion trends. The best part of the thrift shopping is its affordability and easy accessibility. Several thrift stores are dotted throughout the city offering amazing choices and retro specialisation. Without further ado, let’s begin!
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5 Best Thrift Stores in London
The thrift shopping in London is really fun offering everyone a curated selection of vintage clothing, accessories, and homeware. If you are a person living in housing for students in the United Kingdom, who loves to shop around, check out the 5 best thrift stores in London.
British Red Cross, Chelsea
From extensive clothes to beautiful accessories, the British Red Cross has so much to offer. If you are someone who loves vintage sneakers and tees then British Red Cross will be a paradise for you. This is one of the best thrift stores in London with everything you need under one roof. Whether you are a person of designer pieces or high-end clothing, this place is just for you! You may also grab some homeware items from here for your dorm room.
Address: 69-71 Old Church Street, Kensington, SW3 5BS
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| What You’ll Find | Vintage sneakers, tees, designer clothing, accessories, homeware |
| Price Range | Budget-friendly to high-end |
| Why Visit? | Offers a mix of affordable and luxury pieces |
| Ideal For | Students looking for designer pieces at lower prices |
| Address | 69-71 Old Church Street, Kensington, SW3 5BS |
| Nearest Tube Station | South Kensington (Circle, District, Piccadilly Lines) |
| Opening Hours | 10 AM – 6 PM (Monday to Saturday), 12 AM – 5 PM (Sunday) |
ATIKA London
If you love vintage fashion and sustainable shopping, ATIKA London is a must-visit thrift store. Located in the heart of Shoreditch, this massive thrift store is one of the biggest in London, offering a mix of retro, high-street, and designer pieces. Whether you’re looking for unique denim, stylish jackets, or trendy accessories, ATIKA has something for everyone. The store is spread across two floors, making it a treasure trove for fashion enthusiasts. If you’re a student on a budget but still want to stand out with your style, ATIKA London is the perfect place to explore!
Address: 55, 59 Hanbury St, London E1 5JP, United Kingdom
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| What You’ll Find | Vintage and retro clothing, designer pieces, accessories, denim, jackets, and streetwear |
| Price Range | Mid to high, but great for unique and quality finds |
| Why Visit? | One of the largest thrift stores in London with a vast collection of handpicked vintage fashion |
| Ideal For | Students looking for stylish, sustainable, and trendy second-hand clothing |
| Address | 55-59 Hanbury Street, Shoreditch, London, E1 5JP |
| Nearest Tube Station | Shoreditch High Street (Overground) or Liverpool Street (Central Line) |
| Opening Hours | 11 AM – 7 PM (Monday to Saturday), 11: 30 PM – 6 PM (Sunday) |
Royal Trinity Hospice, North End Road Fulham
If you are a shopping enthusiast and getting short of money, you can still shop from the Royal Trinity Hospice thrift store in London. This thrift store in London is renowned for selling all clothing for GBP 5 or less. This is one of the most preferable and affordable thrift stores in London with quality goods and London standards of course! From women’s fashion to men’s clothes and home-ware to shoes, and accessories, you will get anything and everything under this one roof.
Address: 304-306 North End Road SW6 1NQ
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| What You’ll Find | Women’s and men’s fashion, shoes, accessories, homeware |
| Price Range | All items priced at GBP 5 or less |
| Why Visit? | One of the most affordable thrift stores in London |
| Ideal For | Students on a tight budget looking for quality items |
| Address | 304-306 North End Road, SW6 1NQ |
| Nearest Tube Station | Fulham Broadway (District Line) |
| Opening Hours | 10 AM – 6 PM (Monday to Saturday), 11 AM – 5 PM (Sunday) |
Cancer Research, Portobello
With its ideal and accessible location in Notting Hill Cancer Research is one of the most affordable thrift stores in London. Cancer Research thrifty store in London is renowned for offering a wide array of goods like Men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, accessories including shoes, belts, handbags and jewellery, quality homeware like anything from cushions to crockery, linens, books, CDs and DVDs. If you are looking to donate to this particular thrift store in London, you may reach out to their official website.
Address: 183 Portobello Road, Notting Hill, London, W11 2ED
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| What You’ll Find | Clothing, accessories, homeware, books, CDs, DVDs |
| Price Range | Affordable, with charity proceeds going to cancer research |
| Why Visit? | Great variety of second-hand items at good prices |
| Ideal For | Students who want to thrift while supporting a good cause |
| Address | 183 Portobello Road, Notting Hill, London, W11 2ED |
| Nearest Tube Station | Ladbroke Grove (Circle, Hammersmith & City Lines) |
| Opening Hours | 9 AM – 5 PM (Monday to Saturday), 10:30 AM – 04:30 PM (Sunday) |
Octavia Foundation, Kentish Town
Octavia Foundation is an iconic thrift store in London that has been carefully restored, with beautifully panelled walls, retro floor tiling and even original doors. You may shop for occasion wear from this iconic building nestled in the Kentish Town. If you are a person of vintage items, you may shop for sportswear, books, games and glassware.
Address: 213-215 Kentish Town Road, London, NW5 2JU
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| What You’ll Find | Vintage occasion wear, sportswear, books, games, glassware |
| Price Range | Mid-range but good value for money |
| Why Visit? | Historic building with unique finds |
| Ideal For | Students looking for vintage and rare items |
| Address | 213-215 Kentish Town Road, London, NW5 2JU |
| Nearest Tube Station | Kentish Town (Northern Line) |
| Opening Hours | 10 AM – 6 PM (Monday to Saturday), 11 AM – 5 PM (Sunday) |
Also Read: Not sure which are the safest places to live in the UK? No issues, our blog will help you greatly – Safest Cities to Live in the UK for International Students!
Best Areas For Thrift Shopping in London
Thrift shopping is really fun when you are planning to go shopping on a limited budget. This is the only place where you can grab so many things that too with spending less pennies. Now, let’s check out some of the best areas for thrift shopping in London.
Sloane Square
If you are a shopping enthusiast, you may go for thrift shopping in London. Sloane Square is a one-stop solution for you to go thrift shopping in London. There are several thrift stores in London dotted throughout this vibrant street and due to many footfalls, you will find so many people rushing and shopping here. Chelsea is home to several thrift stores in London like the British Red Cross and some other best charity shops, you may choose for shopping.
Address: Sloane Square, London, UK
Notting Hill Gate
Notting Hill Gate is another best areas for thrift shopping in London. If you love to stroll through racks and like to explore the diamond out of the mess, you will find Notting Hill Gate an amazing choice to be! This area is dotted with several thrift stores in London, like Oxfam and Cancer Research. Oxfam is one of the most affordable thrift stores with all the offerings for just GBP 10 to GBP 60. You must explore various other charity shops dotted throughout Notting Hill Gate and Portobello. You will also find some of the beautiful libraries and bookshops in the vicinity.
Address: Notting Hill Gate, London, UK
Camden Market
Camden Market is one of the most famous places for thrift shopping in London. Known for its alternative and edgy vibe, this area is filled with vintage stores, second-hand fashion stalls, and thrift shops offering unique clothing, accessories, and home decor. You can explore shops like Rokit Vintage and Camden Vintage, which have everything from retro jackets to trendy sneakers.
Address: Camden Market, London, UK
Also Read: If you are a student studying in London then check out our blog on Best Areas to Live in London.
Oxford Street
If you are looking for high-end designer clothes and quality accessories, look no further! Oxford Street and Princess Street are amazing choices for thrift shopping in London. Both the areas have so many thrift stores in London to offer. They are renowned for their Salvation Army Charity Shop which is located very close to British Vogue HQ. You will find various other charity shops and thrift stores in London here. One of the most exciting things to do in London is to go thrift shopping.
Address: Oxford St, London, UK
Brick Lane
Brick Lane is a must-visit spot for thrift shopping in London. This area is famous for its trendy, artistic vibe and is packed with second-hand shops, vintage boutiques, and weekend markets. Stores like Beyond Retro and Blitz London are known for their unique and stylish thrift collections. You can also explore street markets for hidden fashion gems at budget-friendly prices.
Address: Brick Lane, London, UK
Further Read: If you are studying in London and excited to explore the elegance for which it is renowned, you must choose to reside in some of the posh places in London.
Online Thrift Stores in London
Thrift shopping doesn’t always mean visiting physical stores. If you prefer shopping from the comfort of your home, London has plenty of online thrift stores offering vintage and second-hand fashion at affordable prices. Here are some of the best online thrift stores in London:
| Thrift Store | What You’ll Find | Why Visit? | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rokit Vintage | Retro and vintage fashion, denim, jackets, accessories | Well-curated collection with frequent discounts | www.rokit.co.uk |
| Beyond Retro | Trendy vintage clothing, streetwear, outerwear | Sustainable fashion with stylish picks | www.beyondretro.com |
| Oxfam Online Shop | Second-hand clothing, books, homeware | Supports charity while offering affordable finds | www.oxfam.org.uk/shop |
| Depop | Pre-loved fashion, accessories, sneakers | Social marketplace with student-friendly prices | www.depop.com |
| Vestiaire Collective | Designer vintage clothing, luxury accessories | Ideal for high-end, authentic second-hand fashion | www.vestiairecollective.com |
Tips to Go Thrift Shopping in London
Thrift shopping in London is an exciting way to find stylish outfits, unique accessories, and hidden treasures at budget-friendly prices. However, to make the most of your shopping experience, you need to know a few tricks. Here are some important tips you must consider while shopping from the thrift stores:
- Always be sure to check out the quality of the goods you are buying.
- Thrift stores in London are the best choice for vintage shopping.
- Head to neighbourhoods which are further away from central London for the lowest prices.
- Be sure to check out all the sections from the thrift stores in London.
- Always try and then buy, as sizes may vary.
- Be sure to check out the signs, marks, wears and tears in case of clothing.
- East London or Camden is your best bet for unique and edgy clothing.
- Thrift stores are perfect for DIY projects and upcycling.
- Try neighbourhoods in Zone 3 to get the best pricing.
- Bargaining is the key to thrift shopping in London.
- Head to Chelsea, Kensington or Hampstead for designer clothing.
Recommended Read: As an international student knowing about things like the cheapest online supermarkets in the UK, food delivery apps, etc. will come quite in handy. Refer to our blog on Best Food Delivery Apps in London for Students
FAQs on Thrift Stores in London
Some of the best thrift stores in London include Traid, Beyond Retro, Rokit, and Oxfam. These shops offer affordable, trendy, and sustainable fashion for students on a budget.
Some of the best thrift stores are Atika London, A Dandy in Aspic, Oxfam, Kentish Town, The Brick Lane Vintage Market, Triad London, Paper Dress Vintage, Reign Vintage, and many more.
Yes, London has excellent thrifting options, featuring a wide variety of vintage and second-hand shops. Popular spots include Rokit, Beyond Retro, and the Brick Lane Vintage Market, catering to diverse styles and budgets.
The best areas for thrift shopping in London are Sloane Square, Nottingham Hill Gate, and Oxford Street.
You may shop for various items including clothing, accessories, homeware, books, electronics, and furniture from thrift stores in London.
Most of the thrift stores in London accept donations. There is a certain procedure that needs to be followed for donating your stuff. Don’t miss to check out the thrift stores in London.
Some thrift stores may offer student discounts, so be sure to ask at the checkout.
Some stores offer student discounts or special sale days. Always ask at checkout or check online for offers before shopping.
Yes, many thrift stores in London sell branded and designer items at discounted prices, especially in vintage and high-end second-hand shops.
Yes! Shopping at thrift stores in London promotes sustainability by reducing waste and supporting ethical fashion choices.
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