Thrift stores in Swansea
If you like the hunt, Swansea, Wales is worth a wander: 98 second-hand and charity shops are mapped here. 94 of them are charity shops and 4 are independent second-hand stores, so Swansea gives you both flavours of thrifting in one trip.
This guide covers every thrift store we could verify in and around Swansea (within about 40 km), built from OpenStreetMap's community-maintained data. Names you'll run into include The Pettifor Trust and Rowan Tree Cancer Care, plus Barnardo's — each with its own personality, which is half the fun. If a shop's missing from Swansea's list, it probably just hasn't been mapped yet — the scene is bigger than any single dataset.
The Swansea thrift lineup
98 mapped within about 40 km — showing 60:
The Pettifor Trust
Charity shop
The Pettifor Trust is a charity shop.
Rowan Tree Cancer Care
Charity shop
Rowan Tree Cancer Care is a charity shop on 58-60 Commercial Street, Mountain Ash. Rowan Tree Cancer Care also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
58-60 Commercial Street, Mountain Ash, CF45 3PW
Barnardo's
Charity shop
Barnardo's — a charity shop, found on 31 Blue Street in Carmarthen.
31 Blue Street, Carmarthen, SA31 3LE
British Red Cross
Charity shop
British Red Cross — a charity shop, found on 29 Union Street in Swansea.
29 Union Street, Swansea, SA1 3DW
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 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
Sue Ryder
Charity shop
Sue Ryder is a charity shop.
Emmaus
Charity shop
Emmaus — a charity shop.
Cancer Research UK
Charity shop
Cancer Research UK — a charity shop.
British Heart Foundation
Charity shop
British Heart Foundation — a charity shop, found on Caroline Street in Bridgend. Also worth knowing about British Heart Foundation: it has a website with more detail.
Caroline Street, Bridgend, CF31 1DN
Wales Air Ambulance
Charity shopRun by Wales Air Ambulance
Wales Air Ambulance is a charity shop run by Wales Air Ambulance.
Swansea
The Salvation Army
Charity shop
The Salvation Army is a charity shop. The Salvation Army also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 10:00-15:30; Sa 10:00-14:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-15:30; Sa 10:00-14:00
Marie Curie
Charity shop
Marie Curie is a charity shop. Marie Curie also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Cancer Research UK
Charity shop
Cancer Research UK is a charity shop.
British Heart Foundation
Charity shop
British Heart Foundation is a charity shop on Commercial Street, Aberdare. 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; it has a website with more detail.
Commercial Street, Aberdare
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Wales Air Ambulance Charity
Charity shop
Wales Air Ambulance Charity is a charity shop on 11 Newton Road, Swansea. Wales Air Ambulance Charity also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-16:30.
11 Newton Road, Swansea, SA3 4AR
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-16:30
Tenovus
Charity shop
Tenovus — a charity shop.
RSPCA
Charity shop
RSPCA — a charity shop, found on 27 Newton Road in Swansea.
27 Newton Road, Swansea
British Red Cross
Charity shop
British Red Cross — a charity shop, found on Cardiff Street in Aberdare. Also worth knowing about British Red Cross: it has a website with more detail.
Cardiff Street, Aberdare
Tŷ Hafan
Charity shop
Tŷ Hafan — a charity shop, found on Cardiff Street in Aberdare.
Cardiff Street, Aberdare
Farplace Animal Rescue
Charity shop
Farplace Animal Rescue — a charity shop, found on Cardiff Street in Aberdare.
Cardiff Street, Aberdare
Helping the Homeless
Charity shop
Helping the Homeless — a charity shop, found on Cardiff Street in Aberdare.
Cardiff Street, Aberdare
Cash Generator
Second-hand store
Cash Generator — an independent second-hand store, found on Canon Street in Aberdare. Also worth knowing about Cash Generator: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
Canon Street, Aberdare
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-16:00
Tŷ Hafan
Charity shop
Tŷ Hafan is a charity shop.
British Heart Foundation
Charity shop
British Heart Foundation is a charity shop. British Heart Foundation 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.
Bridgend, CF31 1DD
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-17:00
Phone: +44 1656 353010
Farplace Animal Rescue
Charity shop
Farplace Animal Rescue — a charity shop, found on 30 Adare Street in Bridgend. Also worth knowing about Farplace Animal Rescue: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
30 Adare Street, Bridgend, CF31 1EJ
Phone: +44 1656 479064
YMCA
Charity shop
YMCA is a charity shop on 16 Adare Street, Bridgend. YMCA also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
16 Adare Street, Bridgend, CF31 1EJ
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30
Phone: +44 1656 650714
Mind
Charity shop
Mind — a charity shop.
Farplace
Charity shop
Farplace is a charity shop.
PDSA
Charity shop
PDSA — a charity shop.
Emmaus
Charity shop
Emmaus — a charity shop.
Bridgend, CF31 3BL
The homeless charity that works
Charity shop
The homeless charity that works — a charity shop.
YMCA
Charity shop
YMCA is a charity shop on 25 John Street, Porthcawl. YMCA also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa Off; Su Off; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
25 John Street, Porthcawl, CF36 3AP
Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa Off; Su Off
Phone: +44 1656 772 166
Age Cymru
Charity shop
Age Cymru is a charity shop on 37 John Street, Porthcawl. Age Cymru 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.
37 John Street, Porthcawl, CF36 3AP
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1656 782 372
Ty Hafan
Charity shop
Ty Hafan — a charity shop, found on 54 John Street in Porthcawl. Also worth knowing about Ty Hafan: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su Off; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
54 John Street, Porthcawl, CF36 3BD
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su Off
Phone: +44 1656 784 354
Far Place Animal Rescue
Charity shop
Far Place Animal Rescue — a charity shop, found on 11 John Street in Porthcawl.
11 John Street, Porthcawl, CF36 3AP
Tenovus
Charity shop
Tenovus — a charity shop, found on 40 John Street in Porthcawl.
40 John Street, Porthcawl, CF36 3AP
RSPCA Llys Nini
Charity shop
RSPCA Llys Nini is a charity shop on 84 John Street, Porthcawl.
84 John Street, Porthcawl, CF36 3BD
Paws
Charity shop
Paws — a charity shop, found on Lias Road in Porthcawl.
Lias Road, Porthcawl, CF36 3AH
Emmaus South Wales
Charity shop
Emmaus South Wales — a charity shop, found on 36-38 New Road in Porthcawl.
36-38 New Road, Porthcawl, CF36 5DN
Clippers
Second-hand store
Clippers — an independent second-hand store.
Barnardo's
Charity shop
Barnardo's is a charity shop on 11 Stepney Street, Llanelli.
11 Stepney Street, Llanelli, SA15 3YB
Tŷ Hafan
Charity shop
Tŷ Hafan is a charity shop on 24-26 Stepney Street, Llanelli.
24-26 Stepney Street, Llanelli, SA15 3UP
YMCA
Charity shop
YMCA — a charity shop, found on 22 Stepney Street in Llanelli.
22 Stepney Street, Llanelli, SA15 3UP
British Heart Foundation
Charity shop
British Heart Foundation is a charity shop on 10-11 Vaughan Street, Llanelli.
10-11 Vaughan Street, Llanelli, SA15 3TY
British Heart Foundation
Charity shop
British Heart Foundation — a charity shop. Also worth knowing about British Heart Foundation: it has a website with more detail.
RSPCA
Charity shop
RSPCA is a charity shop on Stepney Street, Llanelli.
Stepney Street, Llanelli
British Red Cross
Charity shop
British Red Cross — a charity shop. Also worth knowing about British Red Cross: it has a website with more detail.
The Salvation Army
Charity shop
The Salvation Army — a charity shop, found on Murray Street in Llanelli. Also worth knowing about The Salvation Army: it has a website with more detail.
Murray Street, Llanelli, SA15 1DJ
Shine
Charity shop
Shine — a charity shop.
Animal Charities In Need
Charity shop
Animal Charities In Need is a charity shop.
Local Aid Charity Shop
Charity shop
Local Aid Charity Shop is a charity shop.
RSPCA
Charity shop
RSPCA is a charity shop.
Treherbert Community Shop
Second-hand store
Treherbert Community Shop is an independent second-hand store on 161 Bute Street, Treherbert. Treherbert Community Shop also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
161 Bute Street, Treherbert, CF42 5PE
Phone: +44 1443 774 806
Barnardo's
Charity shop
Barnardo's is a charity shop.
Rhondda Animal Aid
Charity shop
Rhondda Animal Aid — a charity shop, found on 44A Hannah Street in Porth. Also worth knowing about Rhondda Animal Aid: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
44A Hannah Street, Porth, CF39 9RB
Phone: +44 1443 437709
The Orb
Charity shop
The Orb is a charity shop on 46 Hannah Street, Porth. The Orb also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
46 Hannah Street, Porth, CF39 9RA
Tenovus Cancer Care
Charity shop
Tenovus Cancer Care — a charity shop, found on 66 Hannah Street in Porth. Also worth knowing about Tenovus Cancer Care: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
66 Hannah Street, Porth, CF39 9RA
Phone: +44 1443 682229
Tŷ Hafan
Charity shop
Tŷ Hafan is a charity shop on 2 Ely Valley Road, Pontyclun.
2 Ely Valley Road, Pontyclun, CF72 8AL
Hope Rescue
Charity shop
Hope Rescue — a charity shop, found on 3 Ely Valley Road in Pontyclun. Also worth knowing about Hope Rescue: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
3 Ely Valley Road, Pontyclun, CF72 8AL
Phone: +44 1443 804720
Bobath Children's Therapy Centre Wales
Charity shop
Bobath Children's Therapy Centre Wales — a charity shop.
What the map tells us about thrifting in Swansea
11 of the 98 shops list their opening hours, which is unusually helpful for Swansea — thrift stores are notorious for surprise closures. Still, call ahead if you're making a special trip to Swansea; volunteer-run shops sometimes close early on quiet days.
21 shops have websites listed, worth a look before you go — some post new arrivals or sale days online.
Thrift shops cluster a little: 4 of them sit on Cardiff Street, so you can string those into one walk and hit the rest by car.
The Swansea thrift circuit
Plot these 98 on a map and the day plans itself: The Pettifor Trust, Rowan Tree Cancer Care on 58-60 Commercial Street, Barnardo's on 31 Blue Street, British Red Cross on 29 Union Street, British Heart Foundation, Sue Ryder, Emmaus, and Cancer Research UK. That's the full Swansea circuit in one sensible order. 90 more are listed below.
Thrifting tips for Swansea
A few things worth knowing before you work through Swansea's thrift stores:
- Bring cash for the small shops at The Pettifor Trust. Card minimums are common at volunteer-run tills. A few small bills keep a bargain from getting awkward.
- Check zippers, buttons and seams at Rowan Tree Cancer Care. Thirty seconds of inspection at the rack beats discovering the broken zipper at home. Thrift stores don't do returns.
- Donate while you're there. Bring a bag of your own cast-offs. It keeps the cycle going and the volunteers remember friendly faces.
- Look behind the front row. Shoppers pull things out and shove them back carelessly. The best find is often one rack deep, half-hidden.
Good to know
We searched about 40 km around Swansea — 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 Swansea can take a while to appear. The 98 above are only as current as the community map. A shop that's shut, or a new one nobody's added yet, gets fixed with a single OpenStreetMap edit.
Prices at Swansea'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 — Swansea included.
Thrift store listings for Swansea: 98 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.