Thrift stores in St Albans
St Albans, Hertfordshire has 934 thrift and charity shops on the map right now. 901 of them are charity shops and 33 are independent second-hand stores, so St Albans 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 St Albans (within about 40 km), built from OpenStreetMap's community-maintained data. Names you'll run into include Helen & Douglas House and Oxfam, plus Oasis — each with its own personality, which is half the fun. If a shop's missing from St Albans's list, it probably just hasn't been mapped yet — the scene is bigger than any single dataset.
The St Albans thrift lineup
934 mapped within about 40 km — showing 60:
Helen & Douglas House
Charity shop
Helen & Douglas House is a charity shop. Helen & Douglas House also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-16:30.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-16:30
Oxfam
Charity shop
Oxfam — a charity shop, found on 61-63 St John's Wood High Street in London. Also worth knowing about Oxfam: it has a website with more detail.
61-63 St John's Wood High Street, London
Oasis
Charity shop
Oasis — a charity shop.
Oxfam
Charity shop
Oxfam — a charity shop. Also worth knowing about Oxfam: it has a website with more detail.
Cancer Research UK
Charity shop
Cancer Research UK — a charity shop.
North London Hospice
Charity shop
North London Hospice is a charity shop.
Mind
Charity shopRun by Mind
Mind is a charity shop run by Mind.
Found
Charity shopRun by ccr foundation
Found is a charity shop run by ccr foundation on 9 Shaftesbury Circle, Harrow. Found also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
9 Shaftesbury Circle, Harrow, HA2 0AJ
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-17:00
Phone: +44 20 3441 6944
Walnut Tree Community Shop
Second-hand store
Walnut Tree Community Shop — an independent second-hand store.
North London Hospice
Charity shop
North London Hospice — a charity shop.
Age Concern Slough & Berhshire East
Charity shop
Age Concern Slough & Berhshire East is a charity shop on 51 Wootton Way, Maidenhead. Age Concern Slough & Berhshire East also notes on the map: 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.
51 Wootton Way, Maidenhead, SL6 4QZ
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1628 298152
Sue Ryder Care
Charity shop
Sue Ryder Care is a charity shop on 72 Essex Road, London. Sue Ryder Care also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00.
72 Essex Road, London
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00
RSPCA
Charity shop
RSPCA is a charity shop on 404 High Road, London.
404 High Road, London, N17 9JB
British Heart Foundation
Charity shop
British Heart Foundation — a charity shop, found on 468 High Road in London. Also worth knowing about British Heart Foundation: it has a website with more detail.
468 High Road, London, N17 9JD
CrusAid
Second-hand store
CrusAid is an independent second-hand store.
Oxfam
Charity shop
Oxfam is a charity shop. Oxfam also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 12:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 12:00-17:00
Phone: +44 20 7244 7016
The Dresser
Second-hand store
The Dresser — an independent second-hand store, found on 10 Porchester Place in London. Also worth knowing about The Dresser: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
10 Porchester Place, London
Phone: +44 20 7724 7212
Garden House Hospice
Charity shop
Garden House Hospice — a charity shop.
RSPCA
Charity shopRun by RSPCA
Run by RSPCA, RSPCA is a charity shop. Also worth knowing about RSPCA: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
Phone: +44 20 7272 2264
Mind
Charity shopRun by Mind
Run by Mind, Mind is a charity shop. Also worth knowing about Mind: it has a website with more detail.
Cancer Research UK
Charity shop
Cancer Research UK — a charity shop, found on 13 The Broadway in London.
13 The Broadway, London
Oxfam
Charity shop
Oxfam — a charity shop, found on 245 Westbourne Grove in London. Also worth knowing about Oxfam: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
245 Westbourne Grove, London, W11 2SE
Phone: +44 20 7229 5000
Oxfam
Charity shopRun by Oxfam
Oxfam is a charity shop run by Oxfam on 5 Gloucester Road, London. Oxfam also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
5 Gloucester Road, London, SW7 4PP
Phone: +44 20 7581 4068
Fara
Charity shop
Fara — a charity shop, found on 26 Gloucester Road in London. Also worth knowing about Fara: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su,PH 10:00-18:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
26 Gloucester Road, London
Hours: Mo-Su,PH 10:00-18:00
Phone: +44 20 7581 8219
Scope
Charity shop
Scope — a charity shop, found on 421 North End Road in London. Also worth knowing about Scope: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:30-18:00, Su 11:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
421 North End Road, London, SW6 1NY
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:30-18:00, Su 11:00-17:00
Phone: +44 20 8550 3765
Little Lives
Charity shop
Little Lives is a charity shop on 433 North End Road, London. Little Lives also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00, Su 11:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
433 North End Road, London
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00, Su 11:00-17:00
Phone: +44 7931 933 672
Mind
Charity shop
Mind — a charity shop, found on 20 Camden Road in London.
20 Camden Road, London
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.
Fara Kids
Charity shop
Fara Kids is a charity shop on 39 Ledbury Road. Fara Kids also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
39 Ledbury Road
Phone: +44 20 7229 3634
Second Chance
Charity shop
Second Chance is a charity shop on 7-9 St John's Way, London. Second Chance also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
7-9 St John's Way, London
Phone: +44 20 7281 5449
Isabel Hospice Sawbridgeworth Charity Shop
Charity shop
Isabel Hospice Sawbridgeworth Charity Shop is a charity shop on 1 Forelands Place, Sawbridgeworth.
1 Forelands Place, Sawbridgeworth, CM21 9QD
The Octavia Foundation
Charity shop
The Octavia Foundation is a charity shop.
Barnardo's
Charity shop
Barnardo's is a charity shop on 7 George Street, London. Barnardo's also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 10:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
7 George Street, London
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 20 7935 2946
British Heart Foundation
Charity shop
British Heart Foundation — a charity shop, found on 86 The Mall in London. Also worth knowing about British Heart Foundation: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
86 The Mall, London, E15 1XQ
Phone: +44 20 8555 6967
Oxfam
Charity shop
Oxfam is a charity shop on 34 New Broadway. Oxfam also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 11:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
34 New Broadway
Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Children's Hope Foundation
Charity shop
Children's Hope Foundation — a charity shop.
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.
Mind
Charity shop
Mind — a charity shop. Also worth knowing about Mind: 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
North London Hospice
Charity shopRun by North London Hospice
Run by North London Hospice, North London Hospice is a charity shop. Also worth knowing about North London Hospice: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
Phone: +44 20 8343 6813
Oxfam
Charity shop
Oxfam is a charity shop. Oxfam also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Barnardo's
Charity shop
Barnardo's is a charity shop on George Lane.
George Lane
The Children's Society
Charity shop
The Children's Society — a charity shop on George Lane.
George Lane
Cancer Research UK
Charity shop
Cancer Research UK is a charity shop on George Lane.
George Lane
Helen Rollason Cancer Charity
Charity shop
Helen Rollason Cancer Charity — a charity shop on 136 George Lane. Also worth knowing about Helen Rollason Cancer Charity: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
136 George Lane
Phone: +44 20 8989 9897
Oxfam
Charity shop
Oxfam is a charity shop on 149 High Road, London. Oxfam also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
149 High Road, London, E18 2PA
Traid
Charity shop
Traid is a charity shop on 106 A-B High Street, London.
106 A-B High Street, London
buymywardrobe
Second-hand store
buymywardrobe — an independent second-hand store, found on 17 Seymour Place in London.
17 Seymour Place, London
Cats Protection
Charity shop
Cats Protection is a charity shop on Hermitage Road.
Hermitage Road
The Heroes Haven
Charity shop
The Heroes Haven — a charity shop, found on 549 Green Lanes in London. Also worth knowing about The Heroes Haven: it has a website with more detail.
549 Green Lanes, London, N8 0RL
Human Relief Foundation
Charity shop
Human Relief Foundation — a charity shop, found on 5 Salisbury Promenade in London. Also worth knowing about Human Relief Foundation: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 10:00-18:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
5 Salisbury Promenade, London, N8 0RX
Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-18:00
Phone: +44 20 3417 6690
Thames Hospice
Charity shop
Thames Hospice is a charity shop.
Cancer Research UK
Charity shop
Cancer Research UK is a charity shop.
Oxfam
Charity shop
Oxfam is a charity shop.
Alzheimer's Dementia Support
Charity shop
Alzheimer's Dementia Support is a charity shop.
The Hospice of St. Francis
Charity shop
The Hospice of St. Francis — a charity shop, found on 3 Langley Parade in Abbots Langley. Also worth knowing about The Hospice of St. Francis: 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.
3 Langley Parade, Abbots Langley, WD5 0AD
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00
Phone: +44 1923 268478
Nightingale Hospice Trust Ltd
Charity shop
Nightingale Hospice Trust Ltd — a charity shop, found on 171 Bramley Road in London. Also worth knowing about Nightingale Hospice Trust Ltd: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-16:30; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
171 Bramley Road, London, N14 4XA
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-16:30
Phone: +44 20 8367 8777
St Luke's Hospice
Charity shop
St Luke's Hospice — a charity shop, found on 196 Preston Road in Wembley. Also worth knowing about St Luke's Hospice: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
196 Preston Road, Wembley
Phone: +44 20 8909 2311
St Luke's Hospice
Charity shop
St Luke's Hospice is a charity shop.
The Hospice of St Francis
Charity shop
The Hospice of St Francis — a charity shop.
British Heart Foundation
Charity shop
British Heart Foundation is a charity shop.
What the map tells us about thrifting in St Albans
280 of the 934 shops list their opening hours, which is unusually helpful for St Albans — thrift stores are notorious for surprise closures. Still, call ahead if you're making a special trip to St Albans; volunteer-run shops sometimes close early on quiet days.
367 shops have websites listed, worth a look before you go — some post new arrivals or sale days online.
Thrift shops cluster a little: 15 of them sit on High Street, so you can string those into one walk and hit the rest by car.
The St Albans thrift circuit
Making a day of it in St Albans? Work this order: Helen & Douglas House, Oxfam on 61-63 St John's Wood High Street, Oasis, Oxfam, Cancer Research UK, North London Hospice, Mind, and Found on 9 Shaftesbury Circle. That's 934 stops, and if you hit them in sequence you won't backtrack. 926 more are listed below.
Thrifting tips for St Albans
Regulars learn these fast; visitors to St Albans can skip the learning curve:
- Ask when new stock hits the floor at Helen & Douglas House. Shops restock on rhythms — truck days, volunteer shifts. One question at the counter tells you when to come back.
- Shop the wrong season on purpose at Oxfam. Coats are cheapest in spring, fans in autumn. Off-season racks are picked over less and priced to move.
- Bring a tape measure. The perfect sideboard is useless if it won't fit through your door. Tape measure in the bag, every trip.
- Check the art and frames. Original art, good frames, and the occasional genuine print turn up constantly. Frames alone are worth the habit.
Good to know
We searched about 40 km around St Albans — 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 St Albans can take a while to appear. If you spot one of the 934 that's closed, or a great shop we missed, the fix is to update the map itself — that's where this guide reads from.
Prices at St Albans'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 — St Albans included.
Thrift store listings for St Albans: 934 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.