York is home to such a wide array of second-hand shops, on a short walk around the city you’ll find jumbled bookshops, eclectic antique shops and an endless assortment of charity shops to visit.
In the age of fast fashion, micro-trends, and hyper-consumerism, choosing to shop second hand has never been more important. Not only is it the more sustainable option, but it’s often more affordable – so perfect for a student budget!
Supporting local charities while you shop is another bonus. It’s good to know your money is going to a worthwhile cause instead of into the pocket of mega-corporations. Each shop is staffed by selfless volunteers who are more than happy to help.
If you’re new to York but unsure how to start exploring the city centre, this route is a perfect starting point. It will guide you along some of the main shopping streets and point out all the hidden gems people usually miss.
You can find all the thrifty shops below but there’s plenty more independent stores and cute cafes to stop at as well.
Shopping is so much more fun when you have an excuse for a day out, and although it’s less convenient, it’s far more rewarding when you strike ‘vintage gold’ after having rifled through bargain bins and scoured the clothes rails. Not to mention the superior quality of vintage items.
So get out there and shop!
WALMGATE + FOSSGATE
Your journey begins just inside the city walls, at Walmgate Bar – a gateway into one of York’s most distinct areas. Straight away, on your right-hand side, you’ll spot The Recycle Project, open every Friday and Saturday. This destination is more than just a shop—it’s a mission. The team travels across Yorkshire, collecting items from house clearances and giving them a second life. You never quite know what you’ll find here: one week it might be a stack of vintage books, the next a mid-century coffee table, quirky crockery, or a standout jacket. It’s the perfect place to start the day with a bit of treasure hunting.
As you wander further up Walmgate, the smell of fresh bread and sweet treats may start to tempt you because just ahead are two fantastic independent bakeries: Biga+ and The Little Blondie Bakehouse. Do yourself a favour and grab a snack to power you through the day.
Keep heading up the street, and just before you reach Foss Bridge, look out for Expressions on your right. This retro clothing shop is a sea of colours, patterns, and unique finds. It’s always worth a browse – especially if you want to add something bold or nostalgic to your wardrobe.
Crossing over Foss Bridge, you’ll arrive at one of my absolute favourite streets in York: Fossgate. It’s packed with charm, lined with cafés, indie shops, and all sorts of surprises. (If you’re after a coffee stop, check out our pick in FOOD.) On the left-hand side of Fossgate, you’ll find both York Designer Dress Agency and Age UK, but the real standout is St Leonard’s. Don’t let the small size of the shop fool you – inside, it’s a bit of a treasure trove. Think vintage jewellery, vinyl records, books, stylish secondhand clothes, hand bags, and all sorts of bric-a-brac. You could easily spend ages in there and still feel like you’ve only scratched the surface.
Cross the Stonebow and pass through Colliergate, where you’ll spot another branch of St Leonard’s on
the right. It’s a little bigger than the Fossgate location, so it’s well worth a look even if you’ve already popped into the other.
When you reach King’s Square, take the next right and head down Goodramgate for the next chapter of your York adventure.
GOODRAMGATE
Goodramgate is one of those streets that pulls you in with its charm – it’s busy, winding, and full of character. It’s always buzzing with life, but if you take your time, it reveals some real hidden gems.
First stop on the right is the Mind charity shop. I always pop in here when I’m passing, there’s something satisfying about rummaging through the shelves and finding the perfect quirky trinket to liven up your uni room.
A little further along, you’ll come across Chinese Laundry, a vintage shop that always catches your eye with its colourful window displays. It’s a bit more on the pricey side, but the pieces are truly unique. And if you’re on more of a student budget, don’t miss the bargain bins at the back; you can often find real steals if you’re willing to dig a bit.
Before you get too caught up in shopping, take a breather at College Green. It’s got one of the best views of the Minster’s stunning east window. It’s the perfect place to sit, snack, and soak in a bit of quiet beauty.
Back on the main road, you’ll soon reach Sue Ryder, an absolute favourite of mine. The ground floor is full of colour-coded rails (a small detail, but it makes browsing so much easier). But upstairs is where the magic happens. The top floor is a retro haven, packed with everything from fur coats and patterned jumpers to vintage dresses and proper ‘70s jackets. The vibe is great and the finds incredible.
As you approach the final stretch of Goodramgate, you’ll find a solid trio: British Heart Foundation, Oxfam, and RSPCA. Each has its own character, and they’re well worth checking out if you’re still in the mood for a browse. Finally right next to Monk Bar is the Village Shop, a little antique shop full of the best trinkets in town. Where else can you buy a pink uranium glass chicken or tiny brass frogs?
DETOUR
If you have time for a detour, here’s an additional route that will take you to the other side of the River Ouse. Start at Dog and Bone Vintage next to the Coppergate Shopping Street. Their men’s selection is particularly good with plenty of leather jackets and sweaters. They specialise in Vintage fashion from the 60s to Y2K. Then cross the river at Ouse Bridge and continue straight. On your right there is a BHF and on the left is the Amnesty Bookshop which has a great selection and holds community events. Finally, continue onto Micklegate to find another Oxfam Bookshop!
INTERVIEW
I spoke to Lucy, who works at St Leonard’s Fossgate shop, to learn how students can support their local charity shops…
Why did you decide to start working in a charity shop, particularly St Leonard’s? I know it’s a local one…
Yeah, it is. I do have a friend whose mum was in St Leonard’s Hospice so that was one of the reasons why I went for this charity shop specifically.
I just needed a career change because I worked at Savers for 17 years so I needed to step away and have a new career path. So that’s another reason.
Recently, there have been statements from charity shops saying the quality of donations is going down. How can students ensure their clothes are of the right quality?
I would just look and think, would you buy it in a charity shop? Even if you don’t go to charity shops, look at it and think, would I buy that? If the answer is no then we wouldn’t be able to sell it.
But we do take rags and we do take anything that we can sell. So if you donate a rag bag we can send them off from here.
Why should students consider donating to charity instead of reselling items on apps like Vinted?
Why is donation is still a good option for them? Vinted is obviously where a lot of the students do tend to go, but it takes time and effort. Obviously we are always encouraged to try and take as much as we can. So if you come in, you’re doing the end of the year clear out and you need to get everything out, just give us a ring. And then we’ll always be able to say yes or no. We can also send you to another shop.
But don’t ever think that we can’t take it because I think sometimes people think “oh they won’t take it” but just ring us and we can help.
This is one of my favourite charity shops…
People do tell me that they like this shop! Especially because it’s got a little bit of everything, we’ve got clothes, books, jewellery, and even a crafts section there’s a bit of something for everyone.
As a final question, what’s the most interesting or weird donation that you’ve ever seen come in here?
We do get some random stuff! It’s normally fancy dress stuff, it can be really random.
I’ve seen weird things in other charity shops. I’ve seen wigs and even a ceramic shoe collections…