Thrift stores in Canterbury
Canterbury, Kent has 158 thrift and charity shops on the map right now. 146 of them are charity shops and 12 are independent second-hand stores, so Canterbury gives you both flavours of thrifting in one trip. Stock turns over fast in all of them, so the shop that had nothing last month might have your thing this week.
This guide covers every thrift store we could verify in and around Canterbury (within about 40 km), built from OpenStreetMap's community-maintained data. Names you'll run into include Carers' Support East Kent and RSPCA, plus Samaritans — each with its own personality, which is half the fun. If a shop's missing from Canterbury's list, it probably just hasn't been mapped yet — the scene is bigger than any single dataset.
The Canterbury thrift lineup
158 mapped within about 40 km — showing 60:
Carers' Support East Kent
Charity shop
Carers' Support East Kent is a charity shop.
Whitstable, CT5 1AU
RSPCA
Charity shop
RSPCA is a charity shop.
Samaritans
Charity shop
Samaritans is a charity shop on Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff-on-Sea.
Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff-on-Sea
Oxfam
Charity shopRun by Oxfam
Run by Oxfam, Oxfam is a charity shop, found on Hamlet Court Road in Westcliff-on-Sea.
Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff-on-Sea
Hospice
Charity shop
Hospice — a charity shop.
Second Coming
Second-hand store
Second Coming — an independent second-hand store.
Debra Charity Shop
Charity shop
Debra Charity Shop — a charity shop on 12 Rainham Shopping Centre. Also worth knowing about Debra Charity Shop: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00.
12 Rainham Shopping Centre, ME8 7HW
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Sue Ryder
Charity shop
Sue Ryder — a charity shop.
Sense
Charity shop
Sense — a charity shop, found on High Street in Whitstable. Also worth knowing about Sense: it has a website with more detail.
High Street, Whitstable, CT5 1AP
Marie Curie
Charity shop
Marie Curie — a charity shop. Also worth knowing about Marie Curie: it has a website with more detail.
Oxfam
Charity shop
Oxfam is a charity shop. Oxfam also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Cancer Research UK
Charity shop
Cancer Research UK is a charity shop.
Tenterden & District Day Centre
Charity shop
Tenterden & District Day Centre — a charity shop.
Wisdom Hospice
Charity shop
Wisdom Hospice is a charity shop.
Sue Ryder
Charity shopRun by Sue Ryder
Sue Ryder is a charity shop run by Sue Ryder on 59 High Street, Deal. Sue Ryder also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-16:30; Su 10:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
59 High Street, Deal, CT14 6EL
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-16:30; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1304 362688
British Heart Foundation
Charity shopRun by British Heart Foundation
Run by British Heart Foundation, British Heart Foundation is a charity shop. Also worth knowing about British Heart Foundation: it has a website with more detail.
British Red Cross
Charity shopRun by British Red Cross
British Red Cross is a charity shop run by British Red Cross. British Red Cross also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Dogs Trust
Charity shop
Dogs Trust — a charity shop. Also worth knowing about Dogs Trust: it has a website with more detail.
Oxfam
Charity shop
Oxfam — a charity shop. Also worth knowing about Oxfam: it has a website with more detail.
RSPCA
Charity shop
RSPCA — a charity shop, found on Oxford Street in Whitstable. Also worth knowing about RSPCA: the map lists its hours as Tu-Sa 09:30-16:00; Su,Mo off.
Oxford Street, Whitstable
Hours: Tu-Sa 09:30-16:00; Su,Mo off
Cancer Research UK
Charity shop
Cancer Research UK is a charity shop on Thomsett Way, Sheerness. Cancer Research UK also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 09:30-18:30; Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Thomsett Way, Sheerness, ME11 5AR
Hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-18:30; Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1795 688315
Cats Protection
Charity shop
Cats Protection — a charity shop. Also worth knowing about Cats Protection: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Cancer Research UK
Charity shop
Cancer Research UK — a charity shop. Also worth knowing about Cancer Research UK: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
British Heart Foundation
Charity shop
British Heart Foundation — a charity shop. Also worth knowing about British Heart Foundation: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Age Concern
Charity shop
Age Concern is a charity shop. Age Concern also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Tu-Sa 09:00-16:00.
Hours: Tu-Sa 09:00-16:00
Pilgrim's Hospice Shop
Charity shopRun by Pilgrim's Hospice
Pilgrim's Hospice Shop is a charity shop run by Pilgrim's Hospice on 128 High Street, Deal. Pilgrim's Hospice Shop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-16:30; Su 10:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
128 High Street, Deal, CT14 6BE
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-16:30; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1304 362638
The Children's Society
Charity shopRun by The Children's Society
Run by The Children's Society, The Children's Society is a charity shop.
Barnardo's
Charity shopRun by Barnado's
Run by Barnado's, Barnardo's is a charity shop, found on 5-7 King Street in Deal. Also worth knowing about Barnardo's: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
5-7 King Street, Deal, CT14 6HU
Phone: +44 1304 373498
Dogs Trust
Charity shop
Dogs Trust is a charity shop on 17 High Street, Deal.
17 High Street, Deal, CT14 7AA
RSPCA
Charity shopRun by RSPCA
Run by RSPCA, RSPCA is a charity shop, found on 18 High Street in Deal. Also worth knowing about RSPCA: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
18 High Street, Deal, CT14 7AE
Phone: +44 1304 366833
Sense
Charity shop
Sense — a charity shop, found on 126 High Street in Margate. Also worth knowing about Sense: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
126 High Street, Margate
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +441843297666
Pilgrims Hospice
Charity shop
Pilgrims Hospice is a charity shop on 98-102 High Street, Margate. Pilgrims Hospice also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo,We,Th,Sa 09:00-17:00; Tu,Fr 09:30-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00.
98-102 High Street, Margate, CT9 1JW
Hours: Mo,We,Th,Sa 09:00-17:00; Tu,Fr 09:30-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Heart of Kent
Charity shop
Heart of Kent is a charity shop.
PDSA
Charity shop
PDSA — a charity shop.
Sue Ryder
Charity shop
Sue Ryder — a charity shop, found on 230 Northdown Road in Margate. Also worth knowing about Sue Ryder: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-16:00; Su off.
230 Northdown Road, Margate, CT9 2QD
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-16:00; Su off
Hospice in the Weald
Charity shop
Hospice in the Weald — a charity shop. Also worth knowing about Hospice in the Weald: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-17:00.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-17:00
Pilgrims Hospices
Charity shop
Pilgrims Hospices — a charity shop, found on 2 High Street in Whitstable. Also worth knowing about Pilgrims Hospices: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
2 High Street, Whitstable, CT5 1BQ
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Pilgrims Hospices Furniture
Charity shop
Pilgrims Hospices Furniture — a charity shop, found on High Street in Whitstable.
High Street, Whitstable, CT5 1AY
British Red Cross
Charity shop
British Red Cross is a charity shop on Oxford Street, Whitstable. British Red Cross also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Oxford Street, Whitstable
RSPCA
Charity shopRun by RSPCA
Run by RSPCA, RSPCA is a charity shop on 80. Also worth knowing about RSPCA: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
80
Phone: +44 1843 599959
Stories & the Past
Second-hand store
Stories & the Past is an independent second-hand store on 84.
84
Diabetes Charity Shop
Charity shop
Diabetes Charity Shop — a charity shop, found on 106 Tankerton Road in Whitstable.
106 Tankerton Road, Whitstable
British Heart Foundation
Charity shop
British Heart Foundation is a charity shop on 64-66 Castle Street, Dover. British Heart Foundation also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
64-66 Castle Street, Dover, CT16 1PA
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1304 434230
Sunny
Second-hand store
Sunny — an independent second-hand store.
Pilgrims Hospices
Charity shop
Pilgrims Hospices is a charity shop.
Sue Ryder
Charity shop
Sue Ryder is a charity shop on Tankerton Road, Whitstable.
Tankerton Road, Whitstable
Social Hub Tenterden Charity Shop
Charity shop
Social Hub Tenterden Charity Shop is a charity shop.
Pilgrims Hospice
Charity shop
Pilgrims Hospice is a charity shop on 4 Castle Street, Ashford. Pilgrims Hospice also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
4 Castle Street, Ashford
Sue Ryder
Charity shop
Sue Ryder is a charity shop on 68 High Street, Tenterden.
68 High Street, Tenterden, TN30 6AU
Debra Charity Shop
Charity shop
Debra Charity Shop — a charity shop, found on 46 Court Street in Faversham. Also worth knowing about Debra Charity Shop: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
46 Court Street, Faversham, ME13 7AL
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1795 539907
Sue Ryder
Charity shop
Sue Ryder is a charity shop.
Scope
Charity shop
Scope is a charity shop on 17 Market Square, Dover. Scope also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
17 Market Square, Dover, CT16 1NX
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1304 211976
British Red Cross
Charity shop
British Red Cross — a charity shop, found on 20 Broadway in Sheerness. Also worth knowing about British Red Cross: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
20 Broadway, Sheerness, ME12 1AF
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1795 581355
Demelza
Charity shop
Demelza is a charity shop. Demelza also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-16:30.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-16:30
Gillingham Street Angels Charity Shop
Charity shop
Gillingham Street Angels Charity Shop — a charity shop.
Southend Mencap
Charity shop
Southend Mencap — a charity shop, found on 100 London Road in Southend-on-Sea. Also worth knowing about Southend Mencap: it has a website with more detail.
100 London Road, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1PG
Havens Hospices
Charity shop
Havens Hospices is a charity shop on High Street, Southend-on-Sea.
High Street, Southend-on-Sea
The Salvation Army
Charity shop
The Salvation Army is a charity shop on High Street, Southend-on-Sea. The Salvation Army also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
High Street, Southend-on-Sea
Havens Hospices
Charity shop
Havens Hospices — a charity shop, found on High Street in Southend-on-Sea. Also worth knowing about Havens Hospices: it has a website with more detail.
High Street, Southend-on-Sea
Barnardo's
Charity shop
Barnardo's — a charity shop, found on 17 High Street in Southend-on-Sea. Also worth knowing about Barnardo's: it has a website with more detail.
17 High Street, Southend-on-Sea
What the map tells us about thrifting in Canterbury
38 of the 158 shops list their opening hours, which is unusually helpful for Canterbury — thrift stores are notorious for surprise closures. Still, call ahead if you're making a special trip to Canterbury; volunteer-run shops sometimes close early on quiet days.
53 shops have websites listed, worth a look before you go — some post new arrivals or sale days online.
Thrift shops cluster a little: 8 of them sit on High Street, so you can string those into one walk and hit the rest by car.
The Canterbury thrift circuit
Plot these 158 on a map and the day plans itself: Carers' Support East Kent, RSPCA, Samaritans on Hamlet Court Road, Oxfam on Hamlet Court Road, Hospice, Second Coming, Debra Charity Shop on 12 Rainham Shopping Centre, and Sue Ryder. That's the full Canterbury circuit in one sensible order. 150 more are listed below.
Thrifting tips for Canterbury
A few things worth knowing before you work through Canterbury's thrift stores:
- The book section is underpriced everywhere at Carers' Support East Kent. Books are heavy, slow to sell, and priced to clear. First editions and out-of-print gems hide here regularly.
- Smell the leather at RSPCA. Real leather smells like leather. If it smells like plastic, it is plastic — price it accordingly.
- Shop the wrong season on purpose. Coats are cheapest in spring, fans in autumn. Off-season racks are picked over less and priced to move.
- The housewares aisle rewards patience. Cast iron, Pyrex, good knives — they all surface eventually. Check the bottom shelves; heavy things live low.
Good to know
We searched about 40 km around Canterbury — that covers the town itself plus the surrounding communities you'd reasonably drive to for a thrifting run. Listings come from OpenStreetMap, mapped by local volunteers, so a brand-new shop in Canterbury can take a while to appear. Spotted a closure among the 158, or a shop we missed entirely? The map is the source of truth here — one OpenStreetMap edit corrects it for everyone.
Prices at Canterbury's thrift stores are set by each shop and change constantly, so we don't list them. As a rough rule, charity shops are the cheapest, independents sit in the middle, and anything labelled vintage costs more everywhere — Canterbury included.
Thrift store listings for Canterbury: 158 mapped from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Photos from Wikimedia Commons contributors; individual photo credits appear in captions. Listing data was last refreshed automatically — verify hours before visiting.