Shopping for preloved clothing and accessories isn’t just about finding a bargain – it also supports good causes and keeps textiles out of landfill. Northamptonshire has an impressive network of charity shops where every purchase helps a local or national charity. This guide highlights over twenty five of the county’s best charity shops, grouped by location, with a brief description of what you can expect to find in each.
Northampton & Kingsthorpe
Age UK Northampton Shop
Highlights: Preloved clothing, books and bric‑a‑brac
Location: 18 St Giles Street, Northampton NN1 1JQ
This centrally located shop supports Age UK’s work with older people. It stocks a wide range of second‑hand clothing, books, DVDs and household goods. Volunteers keep the rails tidy and prices affordable, and there’s always a friendly welcome for donors and customers alike. Call ahead if you’d like to donate larger items.
Age UK Kingsthorpe Shop
Highlights: Quality clothing and accessories
Location: 14 Alexandra Terrace, Kingsthorpe NN2 7SJ
Located off Harborough Road, this Age UK branch offers a great selection of garments, shoes and bags. Drop in to browse the neatly organised rails or donate your unwanted items. Proceeds support Age UK Northamptonshire’s local services.
British Red Cross Shop, Kingsthorpe
Highlights: Clothes, homeware and unique gifts
Location: 83 Harborough Road, Kingsthorpe NN2 7SL
This spacious shop raises funds for the British Red Cross. You’ll find preloved clothing, shoes, books and homeware, as well as new gift items. The store is open Monday through Saturday and volunteers are on hand to accept donations and talk about how your support helps people in crisis.
Oxfam Books & Music, Kingsthorpe
Highlights: Huge selection of books, music and films
Location: 8 Alexandra Terrace, Kingsthorpe NN2 7SJ
Adjacent to the Age UK shop, Oxfam’s specialist book and music branch sells novels, children’s books, sheet music, vinyl, CDs and DVDs. It also stocks Fairtrade products and offers volunteering opportunities for book lovers. Donations of good quality books and media are always welcome.
Cynthia Spencer Hospice Big Charity Shop
Highlights: Large store with furniture, clothing, books and toys
Location: Pondwood House, Pondwood Close, Moulton Park, Northampton NN3 6RT
This warehouse‑style store raises funds for Cynthia Spencer Hospice. It sells everything from sofas and dining tables to clothing, books and toys. All proceeds support the hospice’s palliative care services. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday 9 am to 4:30 pm.
British Heart Foundation, Northampton
Highlights: Clothing, books and electrical goods
Location: 33 Abington Street, Northampton NN1 2AN
The British Heart Foundation shop on Abington Street sells second‑hand clothing, books, music and small electrical items. Volunteers help raise funds for lifesaving research into heart disease. The store accepts donations during opening hours.
Salvation Army Trading Company
Highlights: Affordable clothing and household goods
Location: 62 Wellingborough Road, Northampton NN1 4DN
Run by the Salvation Army, this friendly shop stocks clothing, shoes, bags and household items. Money raised supports the charity’s community programmes and emergency services. The store welcomes donations and offers a doorstep collection service for larger items.
Hope Centre Charity Shop
Highlights: Stylish clothing and furniture for a good cause
Location: 275A Wellingborough Road, Northampton NN1 4EW
This attractive boutique shop raises funds for Northampton’s Hope Centre, which supports people experiencing homelessness. It sells carefully selected clothing, shoes and vintage furniture, and all proceeds go towards the charity’s support services.
Daventry & Towcester
Age UK Daventry Shop
Highlights: Affordable fashion and accessories
Location: 22 Sheaf Street, Daventry NN11 4AB
The Daventry branch of Age UK offers high quality second‑hand clothing, shoes and handbags. The friendly team welcomes donations and the shop has changing rooms so you can try before you buy.
Age UK Towcester Shop
Highlights: Clothing and household items
Location: 134 Watling Street East, Towcester NN12 6BS
This small but well‑stocked shop sells clothes, bedding, curtains and bric‑a‑brac. Proceeds support Age UK services across the county. Volunteers are always happy to chat and accept donations.
Mind Charity Shop, Daventry
Highlights: Clothes, books and quirky finds
Location: 15 Sheaf Street, Daventry NN11 4AA
Supporting the mental health charity Mind, this shop offers an eclectic mix of clothing, books, accessories and small homeware. Funds raised help provide mental health services locally and nationally.
Barnardo’s, Daventry
Highlights: Children’s clothes and toys
Location: 7 Bowen Square, Daventry NN11 4DR
This family‑focused charity shop sells good quality children’s clothing, toys and baby equipment. Shopping here supports Barnardo’s work with vulnerable children across the UK.
Kettering, Corby & Wellingborough
Age UK Kettering Shop
Highlights: Wide selection of clothing and household goods
Location: 62 Stamford Road, Kettering NN15 6LJ
The Kettering Age UK shop is packed with preloved fashion, books and homeware. Proceeds support services for older people in North Northamptonshire. Pop in to donate items or hunt for a bargain.
British Heart Foundation Home Store, Kettering
Highlights: Furniture and electricals
Location: Unit 3, Northfield Avenue Retail Park, Kettering NN16 8ET
This large British Heart Foundation shop sells second‑hand sofas, dining tables, wardrobes and appliances. Staff can arrange collection for unwanted furniture and deliveries for purchases. Shopping here raises funds for heart research and patient care.
Cancer Research UK, Kettering
Highlights: Clothes, accessories and homeware
Location: 14 High Street, Kettering NN16 8ST
Cancer Research UK’s town centre shop sells a wide range of donated goods to fund life‑saving research. Drop in to browse the rails and pick up a bargain or volunteer your time to help out.
St John Ambulance Charity Shop, Kettering
Highlights: Clothing, bric‑a‑brac and seasonal goods
Location: 43 Montagu Street, Kettering NN16 8XQ
This volunteer‑run shop raises money for St John Ambulance’s first aid training and community services. It sells an ever‑changing mix of clothes, shoes, books and seasonal items. Donations of clean and good condition items are welcome.
Age UK Burton Latimer Shop
Highlights: Quality preloved fashion and accessories
Location: 14 Churchill Way, Burton Latimer NN15 5RU
This friendly shop stocks clothing, shoes and accessories and raises funds for Age UK. It is run by volunteers who welcome donations during opening hours.
Age UK Higham Ferrers Shop
Highlights: A large range of second‑hand clothes and gifts
Location: 28 High Street, Higham Ferrers NN10 8BL
The Higham Ferrers store sells everything from stylish jackets to children’s toys. Proceeds support Age UK services and volunteers are on hand to help customers find what they need. The shop is open six days a week.
Age UK Higham Ferrers Home Store
Highlights: Furniture, home accessories and electrical items
Location: Unit 9, Chowns Mill Business Park, Higham Ferrers NN10 8LT
This warehouse‑style shop sells donated sofas, tables, wardrobes, appliances and home accessories. Delivery can be arranged for large purchases and proceeds help Age UK support older people. Donations of furniture are welcome.
British Heart Foundation Shop, Wellingborough
Highlights: Preloved clothing, books and toys
Location: 17 Market Street, Wellingborough NN8 1AN
BHF’s Wellingborough branch offers great value clothing, accessories, books and toys. Proceeds support heart research and patient care. The shop accepts donations of clothing and small electrical items.
PDSA Charity Shop, Kettering
Highlights: Bargain clothing and homeware
Location: 52 Gold Street, Kettering NN16 8JB
PDSA shops fund veterinary care for pets in need. This Kettering branch sells a range of second‑hand clothes, accessories, books and ornaments. Volunteers gladly accept donations during opening hours.
Dogs Trust Charity Shop, Wellingborough
Highlights: Fashion, bric‑a‑brac and pet supplies
Location: 2 Silver Street, Wellingborough NN8 1BQ
Supporting Dogs Trust, this high street shop sells clothing, books, homeware and pet products. Funds raised help care for unwanted dogs and find them loving homes. The shop accepts donations of clean clothing and household goods.
Market Towns & Villages
Age UK Brackley Shop
Highlights: Well‑stocked with clothes, books and bric‑a‑brac
Location: 25 Market Place, Brackley NN13 7AB
Brackley’s Age UK shop is a favourite with locals thanks to its friendly volunteers and ever‑changing stock. Browse rails of clothing, shelves of books and vintage knick‑knacks; donations are gratefully received.
Age UK Oundle Shop
Highlights: Fashion and gifts supporting Age UK
Location: 88 Market Place, Oundle PE8 4BA
A charming shop in the centre of Oundle, this branch sells clothing, jewellery and accessories. Proceeds support Age UK services in the county and volunteers run the shop. Donations of good quality items are welcome.
Age UK Burton Latimer Warehouse Store
Highlights: Furniture, white goods and homeware
Location: Unit 2, Station Road, Burton Latimer NN15 5LD
This large warehouse stocks household furniture, refrigerators, washing machines and other large donations. Proceeds help Age UK provide services for older people. Staff can arrange delivery of purchased items and collect donations by appointment.
Oxfam Shop, Market Harborough
Highlights: Fashion, books and Fairtrade goods
Location: 61 St Mary’s Place, Market Harborough LE16 7JJ
Just over the county border but still popular with Northamptonshire shoppers, this Oxfam shop offers a treasure trove of clothing, books, homeware and Fairtrade gifts. Money raised supports Oxfam’s global poverty‑relief projects.
Sue Ryder Charity Shop, Raunds
Highlights: Clothes, accessories and homeware
Location: 1 Brook Street, Raunds NN9 6LP
Raising funds for the Sue Ryder hospice charity, this small shop sells donated clothing, accessories, books and household items. Volunteers manage the store and can advise on donating or volunteering.
Mind Charity Shop, Rushden
Highlights: Affordable clothes, accessories and books
Location: 43 High Street, Rushden NN10 0QE
Support Mind’s mental health services by shopping here for preloved garments, handbags and books. The friendly team can also accept donations and talk about volunteering opportunities.
British Heart Foundation Home Store, Corby
Highlights: Furniture, electricals and white goods
Location: 6‑8 Alexandra Road, Corby NN17 1NL
This large BHF outlet is the place to head for sofas, beds, wardrobes, TVs and appliances. It offers delivery and collection services and raises vital funds for heart research.
Cancer Research UK Shop, Corby
Highlights: Clothing, books and gifts
Location: 13 Corporation Street, Corby NN17 1NG
This town centre charity shop helps fund Cancer Research UK’s work. Browse rails of fashion items and shelves of books and pick up some Fairtrade chocolates or greeting cards while supporting life‑saving research.
RSPCA Charity Shop, Northampton Road, Market Harborough
Highlights: Affordable clothing and pet accessories
Location: 36 Northampton Road, Market Harborough LE16 9HE
This shop supports RSPCA Leicestershire Branch and sells clothing, homeware and accessories. Funds raised help care for abused and neglected animals. Donations are welcome during opening hours.
British Heart Foundation Shop, Brackley
Highlights: Fashion and homeware bargains
Location: 33 Market Place, Brackley NN13 7AB
Another BHF outlet in the county, this branch sells clothing, shoes, books and ornaments. Supporting the charity’s heart research, it’s a great place to find affordable outfits or household items while helping a good cause.
Age UK Desborough Shop
Highlights: Clothing, household goods and vintage finds
Location: 47 Station Road, Desborough NN14 2RL
This small shop on Desborough’s high street sells a wide range of donated clothing, kitchenware and collectables. Proceeds support Age UK’s services for older people. Donations are welcomed.
Salvation Army Charity Shop, Oundle
Highlights: Clothing, accessories and bric‑a‑brac
Location: West Street, Oundle PE8 4EJ
This quaint Salvation Army shop sells donated clothing, accessories and homeware. Shopping here helps fund the charity’s work with vulnerable people locally and internationally. Donations and volunteers are always appreciated.
Note: Opening hours for these shops vary, so it’s a good idea to check the charity’s website or call ahead before visiting.
