A Thrift Shopping Crawl of Headingley’s Charity Shops

Need some cheap retail therapy? Make a beeline for Headingley and make your way through these thrifty treasure troves, one by one…

Think charity shops are all unwanted hand-me-downs and useless junk? Think again. These Headingley charity shops are reversing the stereotypes one secondhand gem at a time. We’re talking all manner of vintage clothing, one-off homewares and rare records, all waiting to be dug out. So if you want to skip the high street and snap up some truly one-of-a-kind pieces, head off on this thrift shopping crawl of one of Leeds’ favourite areas. Mind, you’ll even be doing a bit of good while you’re at it!

British Heart Foundation

Start off your savvy shopping trip on Otley Road at the Headingley Arndale Centre where you’ll find a familiar favourite, the British Heart Foundation. It’s a little charity shop, but it’s jam-packed with a promising mix of secondhand goodies. Whether it’s a cosy cardigan or a quirky shirt you’re after, they’ve got plenty for men, women and kids, alongside a whole horde of other vintage clothes, shoes, bags and more. If you’re looking for a new LP to add to your collection, they’ve got those too, as well as piles upon piles of books, CDs and DVDs to dig through.

British Heart Foundation, Arndale Centre, 28 Otley Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 2UE.

Samaritans

You’ll need to make a small detour down North Lane for the next stop, Samaritans, but it’s well worth it for the secondhand goodies kept here. There are swathes of books to sift through, racks of preloved clothes to peruse and shelves filled with steals. If you’re looking for a little something to brighten up your home with, they’ve got everything from wall hangings and artwork to antique ornaments and furniture. Make your way to the back of the store and chances are you’ll come across a few electronic tidbits. Check out the sale rack for even more budget-friendly finds.

Samaritans, 27 North Lane, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 3HW.

Oxfam

It’s time to head back to Otley Road because next up is Headingley’s huge Oxfam shop. Spread across two units, there’s heaps of bits and bobs to get through in this ginormous charity shop. They’re big on their music, with a wall lined with records and CDs – you might even get your hands on a hard-to-find LP or two. You can also hunt out boardgames, DVDs and electronics. But if it’s clothes, shoes or accessories you’re seeking, they’ve got the lot. From ties for cheap to coats for every season and shoes that have plenty of wear in them, you’ll never need to buy new.

Oxfam, 45-47 Otley Road, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 3AB.

Cats Protection

Walk a few doors down and you’ll stumble upon Cats Protection. Whether you’re a cat person who loves shopping or a shopping person who loves cats, this is the charity shop for you. Their womenswear selection is one of the strongest in Headingley, with rails lining the walls, you won’t have to try too hard to find something you can’t leave without. They’ve got kids clothes for all ages too, as well as a well-stocked bookshelf, so your next read is never too far away. Need something for your home but don’t want to splurge? You can pick up ornaments and kitchenware for a bargain.

Cats Protection, 33 Otley Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 3AA.

No. 31 Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity

Next on our thrifty tour is No. 31, Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity shop. One of the newer members of the Headingley charity shop scene, it brings a delightful twist to thrift shopping in these parts. It’s got its very own mini cafe inside, where you can grab a cuppa for a mid-crawl pitstop. Once you’re raring to go again, you can scour the plentiful shelves for jewellery, decorations and books – there’s something for every taste. Head to the rear of the shop and you might even find the odd piece of furniture. Looking for new threads? There’s rails for both men and women.

No. 31 Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity, 31 Otley Road, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 3AA.

Oxfam Bookshop

Bookworms rejoice! Oxfam Bookshop is up next, and as you might have guessed – this Headingley charity shop is dedicated to books. Spread across two units, it covers all literary bases. Turn left and you’re in the fiction section, where you could find your next favourite novel or pick up a gripping crime story. But if non-fiction is more your thing, the right side of the shop offers everything from history to sport, music to politics. Students will be happy to know they’ve got loads of textbooks on sale too. It’s not all books though, there’s plenty of CDs and DVDs to boot.

Oxfam Books, 13-15 Otley Road, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 3AA.

Mind

The last stop on our Headingley thrift shopping crawl is Mind. You’ll be helping to fund the mental health charity’s work in the local community by shopping here. And they’ve made it easy to trawl through this behemoth of a charity shop. Looking for womenswear? The righthand side is packed full of clothes, shoes and accessories. Rather menswear, records or books? You’ll find all that on the other side. There’s also a slew of homeware, furniture and toys dotted around the place, so you’re bound to come out with a come-up if you haven’t already.

Mind, 10/10B St Michael’s Road, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 3AW.