My Cambridge Charity Shopping Guide

Martha & Me:Cambridge 

Top 5 Tips for charity shoppers

1)Emmaus 

They are situated just off the A10 about 4 miles north of Cambridge. This HUGE charity shop is an Aladdin's cave full of treasures! Books are a bargain. At the moment they are 5 paperbacks for £2! They sell:

• Books
• Bric a brac
• Electrical items, including cookers, fridges, washing machines, televisions and hi-fis
• Furniture
• Music (records, cds cassettes) and dvds 
• Soft furnishings including bedding, curtains, towels
• Coffee Shop selling drinks, cakes, sandwiches and soup

They also have a brilliant home delivery service. I have used this a number of times when i have realised the futon or wardrobe i have just purchased will definitely not fit in the car! The charge for the service is very reasonable and they are helpful and efficient.

2) Burleigh Street

Burleigh Street in Cambridge (runs alongside Grafton Centre) is THE place to go for charity shops in Cambridge. At my last count there were 7 within about 100m! 

1. 10 Burleigh Street City Centre, Cambridge 01223 368 865

   British Heart Foundation

   
   

2. 20 Burleigh Street City Centre, Cambridge 01223 329 841

   Oxfam

   
   
   

3. 38 Burleigh Street City Centre, Cambridge 01223 302 926

   Mind

   
   

4. 26 Burleigh Street City Centre, Cambridge 01223 301426

   British Red Cross shop

   
   

5. 33 Burleigh Street City Centre, Cambridge 01223 360 205

   Scope

   
   

6. 52 Burleigh Street Cambridge 01223 464189

   Cancer Research UK

   
   

7. 61 Burleigh Street City Centre, Cambridge 01223 312 802

   Rspca Cambridge

   
   

The only down side for me is that because they are fairly small shops most of them (especially oxfam where there is no lift) are not great for buggies or wheelchair access. 

3) Mill Road

Mill Road has a good selection of charity shops. They tend to be cheaper than the Burleigh Street shops. The Cats Protection charity shop have a bucket of kids clothes which are 3 items for £1. I once found a next hat, gap all in one suit and jumper in the bucket - a pound well spent. At the top of Mill Road you will find the Romsey Mill shop this is great if you like 'old fashioned' charity shops; it is not as glossy and as sweet smelling as the the chain charity shops but you can certainly find a bargain! The other notable shop on Mill Road is Sally Ann's which has amazingly cheap furniture and plentiful 'bric a brac'.   

4) Ely and Saffron Walden

For a change of scene and for 'up market' charity shops we visit Ely and Saffron Walden. You will find labels such a Monsoon, White Stuff and Boden on nearly every rail! Yesterday in Ely Oxfam I found Martha a Ralph Lauren jumper for £2 and i got myself a Fat Face dress for £4!

5) Patience 

Last but certainly not least is the need for patience. Wherever you may be shopping you can never guarantee or predict what you may find. It can take a lot of time and energy to find that perfect item and sometimes you do just have to walk away empty handed. Not everyone is cut out for it or can be bothered to sieve through (what is essentially) other peoples junk! But if you have the determination and patience I am sure over time you will be rewarded with awesome bargains and a great sense of satisfaction! 

Happy Shopping!

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