I love a good charity shop. I’ve been thrifting in them for years, and I’ve found some of my favourite second-hand clothes, shoes, and accessories in them. Brighton is home to a fair few charity shops, and I peruse them all at least once a month for the latest gems. Here’s my list of must-visits, as well as reasons why you should visit each one sometime soon!
The 21 Best Charity Shops in Brighton
Introducing: my Brighton Charity Shop Map! Once I started putting this list together, I realised it would be handy to have a drawn-out map to show where each shop is located, so you can better navigate to them. I hope you find it useful!
Western Road
1. Oxfam
136a Western Road, Brighton, BN1 2LA
Oxfam’s shops are always well done. This one, located on Brighton’s bustling Western Road, is especially good for its colour-coordinated rails, discounted items, men’s section on the upper floor, and two changing rooms.
2. Shelter
93 Western Road, Brighton, BN1 2LB
Across the road is Shelter, which has a real eclectic mix of clothes and homewares, and also has changing rooms. This store often has collaborations with All Saints, so if you time it right, you can find some great discounted leather jackets, dresses, and more.
3. British Heart Foundation
140b Western Road, Brighton, BN1 2LA
The managers at this British Heart Foundation (BHF) are fantastic. With a huge range of colourful clothes, great quality menswear, and a big range of shoes and accessories, it’s great. There’s also a changing room!
4. Martlets
71 Western Road, Brighton, BN1 2HA
Martlets has shops all over Brighton, and honestly they’re what you expect from a charity shop. A mix of fast fashion and vintage clothes, as well as homewares… they’re quite hit or miss. Most times I find nothing, but one time I found an Isabel Marant jacket! And yes, there’s a changing room here.
5. Cancer Research
43, 44 Western Road, Brighton, BN1 2EB
This Cancer Research is full of rails, but very often the clothing is lower quality than most. I usually come in here for specific items – for example, something rainbow coloured ahead of Brighton Pride – but overall it’s average.
The Lanes
6. Oxfam
146a North Street, Brighton, BN1 1EA
If you find yourself on Brighton’s main high street, be sure to pop into this Oxfam! This shop has a high turnover of clothes, so you’ll always find something new, and there’s always great high street brands here.
7. Martlets
4 Church Street, Brighton, BN1 1UJ
For vintage clothes, head here! This Martlets may be small, but it’s full of antique furniture and vintage clothes. From wool coats to lacy shirts, knee-high boots to brooches, this is the place.
London Road
8. Debra
9-10 York Place, Brighton, BN1 4GU
For a mixed selection of clothing and furniture, head to Debra. I like popping in here when I’m on my London Road charity shop run, and to know that my purchases here support people living with Epidermolysis Bullosa.
9. Oxfam
13 London Road, Brighton, BN1 4JA
As per the previous Oxfam, this shop is great! You can tell when they’ve had big donations (last time I found a huge collection of nearly-new Zara clothing) and there’s a good mix of high street and designer fashion too. Thumb through the colour-coordinated rails and be sure to look up for the curated items too. Sadly no changing room here.
10. British Heart Foundation
19-20 London Road, Brighton, BN1 4JB
If you like chaos, this is the place! British Heart Foundation on London Road is like TKMaxx and a festival combined – lots of stuff, lots of people. Personally, I try to visit during quieter times, as they do have a good mix of clothes, accessories, and homewares.
11. Chestnut Tree House
40 London Road, Brighton, BN1 4JB
If you’re looking for a local charity to support, head to Chestnut Tree House. Here, proceeds go towards care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions in Sussex and South East Hampshire. In the shop itself, you’ll find a good selection of menswear, womenswear, and bric-a-brac.
12. PDSA
91 London Road, Brighton, BN1 4JF
The PDSA charity shop is a larger shop than most, and make great use of that space with rails dedicated to seasonal events, a large men’s section, lots of activewear, and even a designer section next to the counter. Definitely visit!
13. Martlets
89-90 London Road, Brighton, BN1 4JF
I love this Martlets for homewares – it has bric-a-brac at the front of the store, followed by larger electronics and furniture in the back. Here I found a vintage hand-whisk for £2.50! The fashion section is slightly smaller than other Martlets, but worth a thumb through too.
14. Cats Protection
70a Beaconsfield Road, Brighton, BN1 6DD
Finally, while slightly further afield than the others, Cats Protection is a charity shop not to be missed! This store is really well curated, with colour-coordinated rails, a large coats section, and a good mix of high street fashion and designer. I almost picked up a vintage leather jacket for just £20 here, but it was slightly too big for me. Can’t wait to go back!
St James’s Street
15. The Sussex Beacon
130 St James’s Street, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1TH
Brighton is the unofficial LGBT capital of the UK, so this list wouldn’t be complete without The Sussex Beacon! This charity supports specialist care and support for people living with HIV, and their shop proudly waves rainbow flags with lots of loud, colourful clothes to choose from!
16. Mind
5 St James’s Street, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1RE
Despite the constant hubbub outside this charity shop (blame the Morrisons and bus stop!), this shop is well worth popping into. My best find here has to be a pair of Swedish Hasbeens sandals that were barely worn!
17. Oxfam
115 St James’s Street, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1TH
Another Oxfam, another great shop! Here, you’ll find a smaller mix of menswear and womenswear, and a bit more of a focus on Oxfam’s own products, as well as books and accessories.
18. The Dogs Trust
50 St James’s Street, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1QG
If you’re into second-hand homewares, head here! I’m always tempted by the glassware and ceramics in this shop, and there’s an equal split between womenswear and menswear too.
Kemptown Village
19. Age UK
111 St George’s Road, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1EA
Now onto my favourite charity shop in Brighton! I used to live just up the road from Age UK, and would visit religiously. Here you can find local donations up for sale, with the residents of Kemptown village generously donating vintage clothes, high quality brands, and a whole mix of homewares too.
20. Marie Curie
99 St George’s Road, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1EE
Marie Curie is a charity I love to donate to (both clothing and money), so head here to potentially find some of my old clothes! In this store, there’s an eclectic mix of clothing, portioned out by sizes rather than colour. At the back, you’ll find a true vintage rail, with prices reflecting these.
21. Martlets
98 St George’s Road, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1EE
Finally, we have my favourite Martlets in all of Brighton! Here you’ll find very friendly staff, and there’s always a gem to be found. Previous finds include a rattan lampshade, and my latest find, a patent leather handbag that’s giving Ferragamo AW23!
Looking for more Brighton recommendations? Check out my Brighton Travel Diaries!
