Thrift stores in Southend-on-Sea
Thrift stores reward the patient. In Southend-on-Sea, Essex that patience currently stretches across 224 mapped shops — 219 of them are charity shops and 5 are independent second-hand stores, so Southend-on-Sea gives you both flavours of thrifting in one trip.
This guide covers every thrift store we could verify in and around Southend-on-Sea (within about 40 km), built from OpenStreetMap's community-maintained data. Names you'll run into include Carers' Support East Kent and Heart of Kent Hospice, plus Samaritans — each with its own personality, which is half the fun. If a shop's missing from Southend-on-Sea's list, it probably just hasn't been mapped yet — the scene is bigger than any single dataset.
The Southend-on-Sea thrift lineup
224 mapped within about 40 km — showing 60:
Carers' Support East Kent
Charity shop
Carers' Support East Kent is a charity shop.
Whitstable, CT5 1AU
Heart of Kent Hospice
Charity shop
Heart of Kent Hospice — 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
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
Second Coming
Second-hand store
Second Coming — an independent second-hand store.
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
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
Cancer Research UK
Charity shop
Cancer Research UK is a charity shop.
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
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
Barnardo's
Charity shop
Barnardo's is a charity shop.
Oxfam
Charity shop
Oxfam is a charity shop on 16 The Row, Longfield. Oxfam also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
16 The Row, Longfield, DA3 8JB
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
Havens Hospice
Charity shop
Havens Hospice — a charity shop.
Marie Curie
Charity shop
Marie Curie — a charity shop. Also worth knowing about Marie Curie: it has a website with more detail.
British Heart Foundation
Charity shopRun by British Heart Foundation
British Heart Foundation is a charity shop run by British Heart Foundation on 45 Market Place, Romford. British Heart Foundation also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
45 Market Place, Romford, RM1 3AB
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1708 914900
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
Saint Francis Hospice Shops
Charity shop
Saint Francis Hospice Shops — a charity shop, found on 125 South Street in Romford.
125 South Street, Romford, RM1 1NX
Ahava Community - Liberty
Charity shopRun by Ahava Community
Ahava Community - Liberty is a charity shop run by Ahava Community on 1, Romford.
1, Romford, RM1 3RL
Sense
Charity shopRun by Sense
Run by Sense, Sense is a charity shop. Also worth knowing about Sense: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
SS17 7LJ
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00
Phone: +44 1375 671556
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
British Heart Foundation
Charity shop
British Heart Foundation is a charity shop. British Heart Foundation also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Saint Francis Hospice
Charity shop
Saint Francis Hospice — a charity shop.
Barnardo's
Charity shop
Barnardo's is a charity shop.
Cancer Research UK
Charity shop
Cancer Research UK — a charity shop. Also worth knowing about Cancer Research UK: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
Strood, Rochester
Phone: +44 1634 715634
Wisdom Hospice
Charity shop
Wisdom Hospice is a charity shop.
Barnardo's
Charity shopRun by Barnardo's
Barnardo's is a charity shop run by Barnardo's.
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
PDSA
Charity shop
PDSA — a charity shop.
Farliegh Hospice
Charity shop
Farliegh Hospice — a charity shop, found on Colchester Road in Maldon. Also worth knowing about Farliegh Hospice: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-16:00; Su off; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Colchester Road, Maldon, CM9 4GD
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-16:00; Su off
Phone: +44 1621 879674
Barnardo's
Charity shop
Barnardo's — a charity shop.
Chelmsford Furniture Project
Second-hand store
Chelmsford Furniture Project — an independent second-hand store, found on 5 Baddow Road in Chelmsford. Also worth knowing about Chelmsford Furniture Project: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
5 Baddow Road, Chelmsford, CM2 0BX
Phone: +44 1245 352918
Chelmsford 4 Good
Charity shop
Chelmsford 4 Good is a charity shop on 22 Market Road, Chelmsford. Chelmsford 4 Good also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo, Sa-Su off; Tu-Fr 09:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
22 Market Road, Chelmsford
Hours: Mo, Sa-Su off; Tu-Fr 09:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1245 351888
Friends at Broomfield Hospital
Charity shop
Friends at Broomfield Hospital — a charity shop, found on Court Road in Chelmsford. Also worth knowing about Friends at Broomfield Hospital: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 09:00-16:00; Sa-Su off.
Court Road, Chelmsford, CM1 7ET
Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-16:00; Sa-Su off
Friends at Broomfield Hospital
Charity shop
Friends at Broomfield Hospital is a charity shop on Court Road, Chelmsford. Friends at Broomfield Hospital also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 09:00-16:00; Sa-Su off.
Court Road, Chelmsford, CM1 7ET
Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-16:00; Sa-Su off
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
Diabetes Charity Shop
Charity shop
Diabetes Charity Shop — a charity shop, found on 106 Tankerton Road in Whitstable.
106 Tankerton Road, Whitstable
RSPCA
Charity shop
RSPCA — a charity shop, found on 48 Trent Road in Chelmsford. Also worth knowing about RSPCA: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
48 Trent Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2LQ
Phone: +44 1245 263293
Ellenor
Charity shop
Ellenor is a charity shop on Crayford Road, Dartford.
Crayford Road, Dartford
The Salvation Army
Charity shop
The Salvation Army is a charity shop.
YMCA
Charity shop
YMCA — a charity shop.
Sue Ryder
Charity shop
Sue Ryder is a charity shop on Tankerton Road, Whitstable.
Tankerton Road, Whitstable
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
Heart of Kent hospice
Charity shop
Heart of Kent hospice — a charity shop.
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
St Luke's Hospice
Charity shop
St Luke's Hospice is a charity shop. St Luke's Hospice also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-16:30.
Tilbury
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-16:30
British Heart Foundation
Charity shop
British Heart Foundation is a charity shop on 48 Southernhay, Basildon. 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.
48 Southernhay, Basildon, SS14 1ET
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1268 525320
St Lukes Hospice Warehouse
Charity shop
St Lukes Hospice Warehouse — a charity shop, found on Bentalls in Basildon. Also worth knowing about St Lukes Hospice Warehouse: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 08:00-15:00; Sa-Su off; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Bentalls, Basildon, SS14 3FT
Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-15:00; Sa-Su off
Phone: +44 1268 522741
Havens Hospices
Charity shop
Havens Hospices — a charity shop, found on Southernhay in Basildon.
Southernhay, Basildon
Cancer Research UK
Charity shop
Cancer Research UK is a charity shop on 40-42 East Walk, Basildon. Cancer Research UK also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
40-42 East Walk, Basildon, SS14 1HH
Phone: +44 1268 285063
Mind
Charity shop
Mind — a charity shop, found on 37 East Walk in Basildon. Also worth knowing about Mind: the map lists its hours as Mo-We 09:30-16:30; Th-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.
37 East Walk, Basildon, SS14 1HA
Hours: Mo-We 09:30-16:30; Th-Sa 09:30-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1268 289700
What the map tells us about thrifting in Southend-on-Sea
52 of the 224 shops list their opening hours, which is unusually helpful for Southend-on-Sea — thrift stores are notorious for surprise closures. Still, call ahead if you're making a special trip to Southend-on-Sea; volunteer-run shops sometimes close early on quiet days.
81 shops have websites listed, worth a look before you go — some post new arrivals or sale days online.
Thrift shops cluster a little: 9 of them sit on High Street, so you can string those into one walk and hit the rest by car.
The Southend-on-Sea thrift circuit
The efficient Southend-on-Sea thrifting route strings these together: Carers' Support East Kent, Heart of Kent Hospice, Samaritans on Hamlet Court Road, Oxfam on Hamlet Court Road, Havens Hospice Charity Shop, Friends of lions Charity Shop, Muscular Dystrophy Shop on 3 Warwick Parade, and Second Coming — 224 shops, one logical loop, no backtracking. 216 more are listed below.
Thrifting tips for Southend-on-Sea
Regulars learn these fast; visitors to Southend-on-Sea can skip the learning curve:
- Bring a tape measure at Carers' Support East Kent. The perfect sideboard is useless if it won't fit through your door. Tape measure in the bag, every trip.
- Bring cash for the small shops at Heart of Kent Hospice. Card minimums are common at volunteer-run tills. A few small bills keep a bargain from getting awkward.
- 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.
- Cash still talks. Some small shops prefer cash and a few will deal a little on big items if you're paying cash. Worth having some on you.
Good to know
We searched about 40 km around Southend-on-Sea — 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 Southend-on-Sea can take a while to appear. Spotted a closure among the 224, or a shop we missed entirely? The map is the source of truth here — one OpenStreetMap edit corrects it for everyone.
Prices at Southend-on-Sea'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 — Southend-on-Sea included.
Thrift store listings for Southend-on-Sea: 224 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.