Thrift stores in Colchester
Colchester, England has 206 thrift and charity shops on the map right now. 194 of them are charity shops and 12 are independent second-hand stores, so Colchester 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 Colchester (within about 40 km), built from OpenStreetMap's community-maintained data. Names you'll run into include Barnardo's and Havens Hospice Charity Shop, plus Friends of lions Charity Shop — each with its own personality, which is half the fun. If a shop's missing from Colchester's list, it probably just hasn't been mapped yet — the scene is bigger than any single dataset.
The Colchester thrift lineup
206 mapped within about 40 km — showing 60:
Barnardo's
Charity shop
Barnardo's is a charity shop on 38 Hening Avenue, Ipswich.
38 Hening Avenue, Ipswich, IP3 9QJ
Havens Hospice Charity Shop
Charity shop
Havens Hospice Charity Shop — a charity shop.
Friends of lions Charity Shop
Charity shop
Friends of lions Charity Shop — a charity shop.
Muscular Dystrophy Shop
Charity shop
Muscular Dystrophy Shop is a charity shop on 3 Warwick Parade, South Woodham Ferrers.
3 Warwick Parade, South Woodham Ferrers, CM3 5JT
The Children's Society
Charity shop
The Children's Society — a charity shop, found on 34 Hening Avenue in Ipswich.
34 Hening Avenue, Ipswich, IP3 9QJ
St Elizabeth Hospice
Charity shop
St Elizabeth Hospice — a charity shop, found on 3 Heath Road in Ipswich.
3 Heath Road, Ipswich, IP4 5RZ
RSPCA
Charity shop
RSPCA — a charity shop, found on 1-3 Tacket Street in Ipswich.
1-3 Tacket Street, Ipswich
St Elizabeth Hospice
Charity shop
St Elizabeth Hospice — a charity shop, found on Dogs Head Street in Ipswich. Also worth knowing about St Elizabeth Hospice: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-16:30; Su 10:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
Dogs Head Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AD
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-16:30; Su 10:00-16:00
EACH
Charity shop
EACH is a charity shop on Market Place, Stowmarket.
Market Place, Stowmarket, IP14 1DW
The Salvation Army
Charity shop
The Salvation Army is a charity shop on 108 Byron Road, Chelmsford. The Salvation Army also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
108 Byron Road, Chelmsford, CM2 6HJ
Phone: +44 1245 344850
The Salvation Army
Charity shop
The Salvation Army — a charity shop, found on Upper Brook Street in Ipswich. Also worth knowing about The Salvation Army: it has a website with more detail.
Upper Brook Street, Ipswich
The Fair Trade Shop
Charity shop
The Fair Trade Shop — a charity shop, found on 20A Upper Brook Street in Ipswich. Also worth knowing about The Fair Trade Shop: it has a website with more detail.
20A Upper Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1EB
Sense
Charity shop
Sense — a charity shop, found on 15-17 Upper Brook Street in Ipswich. Also worth knowing about Sense: it has a website with more detail.
15-17 Upper Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1EG
Oxfam
Charity shop
Oxfam — a charity shop, found on 42 Market Hill in Sudbury. Also worth knowing about Oxfam: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
42 Market Hill, Sudbury, CO10 2ER
Phone: +44 1787375809
Oxfam
Charity shop
Oxfam — a charity shop, found on 62 Thoroughfare in Woodbridge. Also worth knowing about Oxfam: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 11:00-13:30; it has a website with more detail.
62 Thoroughfare, Woodbridge, IP12 1AL
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 11:00-13:30
Cancer Research UK
Charity shop
Cancer Research UK is a charity shop.
Samaritans
Charity shop
Samaritans — a charity shop, found on Carr Street in Ipswich. Also worth knowing about Samaritans: it has a website with more detail.
Carr Street, Ipswich, IP4 1EJ
Cats Protection
Charity shop
Cats Protection is a charity shop on 20 Queen Street, Ipswich.
20 Queen Street, Ipswich, IP1 1SS
Ipswich Outreach
Charity shop
Ipswich Outreach — a charity shop, found on Westgate Street in Ipswich. Also worth knowing about Ipswich Outreach: it has a website with more detail.
Westgate Street, Ipswich
Cancer Research UK
Charity shop
Cancer Research UK — a charity shop, found on 26 Upper Brook Street in Ipswich. Also worth knowing about Cancer Research UK: it has a website with more detail.
26 Upper Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1EB
Cancer Research UK
Charity shop
Cancer Research UK — a charity shop, found on 217 Moulsham Street in Chelmsford. Also worth knowing about Cancer Research UK: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
217 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 0LR
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1245 492922
Sense
Charity shopRun by Sense
Run by Sense, Sense is a charity shop on Meredith Road.
Meredith Road
Suffolk Mind
Charity shop
Suffolk Mind — a charity shop, found on Westgate Street in Ipswich.
Westgate Street, Ipswich
St Helena Hospice
Charity shop
St Helena Hospice is a charity shop.
British Heart Foundation
Charity shop
British Heart Foundation — a charity shop, found on 50 High Street in Chelmsford. Also worth knowing about British Heart Foundation: 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.
50 High Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1DE
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1245 676370
Emmaus
Charity shop
Emmaus is a charity shop on 216 Dales Road, Ipswich. Emmaus also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
216 Dales Road, Ipswich, IP1 4JY
Fresh Start & Coffee
Charity shop
Fresh Start & Coffee is a charity shop on 29-31 Carr Street, Ipswich.
29-31 Carr Street, Ipswich, IP4 1HA
Charity Shop
Charity shopRun by Chernobyl Children's Life Line
Charity Shop is a charity shop run by Chernobyl Children's Life Line.
Sue Ryder
Charity shop
Sue Ryder is a charity shop on Station Yard, Ipswich. Sue Ryder also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Station Yard, Ipswich, IP6 8AS
Sense
Charity shop
Sense is a charity shop on 41 Crouch Street, Colchester. Sense also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
41 Crouch Street, Colchester, CO3 3EN
Age UK
Charity shop
Age UK — a charity shop, found on 9 Crouch Street in Colchester. Also worth knowing about Age UK: it has a website with more detail.
9 Crouch Street, Colchester, CO3 3EN
Havens Hospice
Charity shop
Havens Hospice — a charity shop.
St Nicholas Hospice Care
Charity shop
St Nicholas Hospice Care is a charity shop on Hall Street, Sudbury. St Nicholas Hospice Care also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Hall Street, Sudbury, CO10 9JF
PDSA Witham Shop
Charity shop
PDSA Witham Shop is a charity shop. PDSA Witham Shop also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
CM8 2AP
British Red Cross
Charity shop
British Red Cross — a charity shop, found on Thoroughfare in Woodbridge. Also worth knowing about British Red Cross: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-16:30; it has a website with more detail.
Thoroughfare, Woodbridge, IP12 1AQ
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-16:30
RNLI Shop
Charity shopRun by Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Run by Royal National Lifeboat Institution, RNLI Shop is a charity shop. Also worth knowing about RNLI Shop: it has a website with more detail.
St Elizabeth Hospice
Charity shop
St Elizabeth Hospice — a charity shop, found on 287 Hawthorn Drive in Ipswich. Also worth knowing about St Elizabeth Hospice: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 15:00-23:00.
287 Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich, IP2 0QG
Hours: Mo-Su 15:00-23:00
St Elizabeth Hospice
Charity shop
St Elizabeth Hospice is a charity shop on 22 Selkirk Road, Ipswich. St Elizabeth Hospice also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-16:30.
22 Selkirk Road, Ipswich, IP4 3HX
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-16:30
St Elizabeth Hospice Retail Centre
Charity shop
St Elizabeth Hospice Retail Centre — a charity shop.
Helen Rollason Cancer Charity
Charity shop
Helen Rollason Cancer Charity — a charity shop, found on 14 Maldon Road in Chelmsford.
14 Maldon Road, Chelmsford, CM3 4QQ
Chelmsford Cancer Charity
Charity shop
Chelmsford Cancer Charity — a charity shop, found on 8 Maldon Road in Chelmsford.
8 Maldon Road, Chelmsford, CM3 4QQ
2nd Time Around
Second-hand store
2nd Time Around — an independent second-hand store.
The Salvation Army
Charity shop
The Salvation Army is a charity shop.
Barnardo's
Charity shop
Barnardo's is a charity shop.
British Heart Foundation
Charity shop
British Heart Foundation is a charity shop on Thoroughfare, Woodbridge. British Heart Foundation also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Thoroughfare, Woodbridge, IP12 1AG
Cancer Research UK
Charity shop
Cancer Research UK is a charity shop on Thoroughfare, Woodbridge. Cancer Research UK also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Thoroughfare, Woodbridge, IP12 1AG
Mind
Charity shop
Mind is a charity shop on 11B,11C Thoroughfare, Woodbridge. Mind also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
11B,11C Thoroughfare, Woodbridge, IP12 1AA
Phone: +44 1394 547130
Woodgreen
Charity shop
Woodgreen — a charity shop, found on 28 Thoroughfare in Woodbridge. Also worth knowing about Woodgreen: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-16:00; Su 10:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
28 Thoroughfare, Woodbridge, IP12 1AQ
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-16:00; Su 10:00-16:00
East Anglia children's hospice
Charity shop
East Anglia children's hospice — a charity shop, found on The Turban in Woodbridge.
The Turban, Woodbridge, IP12 1DE
Oxfam
Charity shop
Oxfam is a charity shop on Thoroughfare, Woodbridge. Oxfam also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 11:00-15:00; it has a website with more detail.
Thoroughfare, Woodbridge, IP12 1AH
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 11:00-15:00
St Elizabeth Hospice
Charity shop
St Elizabeth Hospice is a charity shop on 51 Thoroughfare, Woodbridge. St Elizabeth Hospice also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-16:30; it has a website with more detail.
51 Thoroughfare, Woodbridge, IP12 1AH
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-16:30
Emmaus
Charity shop
Emmaus — a charity shop, found on 70 Thoroughfare in Woodbridge. Also worth knowing about Emmaus: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-16:00.
70 Thoroughfare, Woodbridge, IP12 1AL
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-16:00
Cancer Research UK
Charity shop
Cancer Research UK is a charity shop on 184 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe. Cancer Research UK also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
184 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7DU
Sense
Charity shop
Sense — a charity shop, found on 182 Hamilton Road in Felixstowe. Also worth knowing about Sense: it has a website with more detail.
182 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7DU
St Elizabeth Hospice
Charity shop
St Elizabeth Hospice — a charity shop, found on Hamilton Road in Felixstowe. Also worth knowing about St Elizabeth Hospice: it has a website with more detail.
Hamilton Road, Felixstowe
RSPCA
Charity shop
RSPCA is a charity shop on Hamilton Road, Felixstowe.
Hamilton Road, Felixstowe
Barnardo's
Charity shop
Barnardo's — a charity shop, found on Hamilton Road in Felixstowe. Also worth knowing about Barnardo's: it has a website with more detail.
Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7AB
British Red Cross
Charity shop
British Red Cross is a charity shop on Hamilton Road, Felixstowe. British Red Cross also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Hamilton Road, Felixstowe
East Anglia's Children's Hospice
Charity shop
East Anglia's Children's Hospice — a charity shop, found on 137 Hamilton Road in Felixstowe.
137 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7BL
YMCA
Charity shop
YMCA — a charity shop, found on Hamilton Road in Felixstowe. Also worth knowing about YMCA: it has a website with more detail.
Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7BB
What the map tells us about thrifting in Colchester
33 of the 206 shops list their opening hours, which is unusually helpful for Colchester — thrift stores are notorious for surprise closures. Still, call ahead if you're making a special trip to Colchester; volunteer-run shops sometimes close early on quiet days.
85 shops have websites listed, worth a look before you go — some post new arrivals or sale days online.
Thrift shops cluster a little: 6 of them sit on Hamilton Road, so you can string those into one walk and hit the rest by car.
The Colchester thrift circuit
The efficient Colchester thrifting route strings these together: Barnardo's on 38 Hening Avenue, Havens Hospice Charity Shop, Friends of lions Charity Shop, Muscular Dystrophy Shop on 3 Warwick Parade, The Children's Society on 34 Hening Avenue, St Elizabeth Hospice on 3 Heath Road, RSPCA on 1-3 Tacket Street, and St Elizabeth Hospice on Dogs Head Street — 206 shops, one logical loop, no backtracking. 198 more are listed below.
Thrifting tips for Colchester
Thrifting in Colchester goes better with a little prep:
- Learn your fabrics at Barnardo's. A quick touch tells wool from acrylic, leather from pleather. Natural fibres at thrift prices are the whole game.
- Check the furniture first, clothes second at Havens Hospice Charity Shop. Good furniture sells within hours; good clothes within days. Walk the furniture floor before the racks.
- 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.
- Bring cash for the small shops. Card minimums are common at volunteer-run tills. A few small bills keep a bargain from getting awkward.
Good to know
We searched about 40 km around Colchester — 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 Colchester can take a while to appear. Spotted a closure among the 206, or a shop we missed entirely? The map is the source of truth here — one OpenStreetMap edit corrects it for everyone.
Prices at Colchester'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 — Colchester included.
Thrift store listings for Colchester: 206 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.