Charity secondhand shopping and other United Kingdom Shopping Tips

Name of Shop: Oxfam

My boots gave way on me and one of my coats was not travelling well so I needed replacements. Because of the high cost of clothing etc I started poking around the charity shops. Very interesting places! I picked up a pair of leather boots for 4 pounds and a nice black jacket for 5 pound. I picked up the most unusual crocheted woollen scarf which I would never find here for 1 pound. If you are worried about the weight when flying home you can just donate them back before you leave.

What To Buy: There were heaps of good coats, jeans and scaves. While looking for clothing I found lots of bric a brac worth buying. Little jugs, teapots vases and plates etc. These little things are worth buying and make nice gifts. They are cheap and I feel more authentic as they have come out of someones kitchen and not just tacky souvineers made to look like the real thing. Alot were made in England and most were only one or two pound.

What To Pay: All bric a brac was one pound upwards and clothing started at about 5 pound.

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Theme: Discount Store
Address: All over the UK

Name of Shop: Edinburgh Woollen Mills

I found these stores everywhere I went and I had a good time looking around. As I was holidaying in May there were some good sales happening.
At the time they had 60% off and I managed to buy a cashmere scarf for 20 pound. They were originally 60 pound so I got a real bargain.

What To Buy: Womens and mens clothing and lots of other stuff.

What To Pay: A bit expensive but if you go at the right time they have good discounts.

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Theme: Women's Clothes
Address: All over

Name of Shop: Any shop

Buying cigarettes in Britain was a bit confusing in the beginning. Firstly the most they come in is packs of 20. Secondly they are not graded in milligrams. For instance there is no such thing as 4 milligram strength or 12 milligram strength. Just mild, extra mild etc. And the cost! It nearly made me cry. Four pound for twenty, that's about $10 and there is not alot ot choose from.


What To Pay: Packs of 10 - 2 pound
Packs of 20 - 4 pound

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Theme: Other

Name of Shop: Jessop's

If you take a digital camera you will need to get your photos copied onto a disc so you can start clicking again!
I tried various places from Boots chemists to Klick but found Jessop's to be the best. They seem to be all over the UK and the people were very friendly. They always had an instore computer set up where you ' could do it yourself ' with someone onhand to help.
Cost was 2 pound per CD.



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Theme: Other

When holidaying it is always hard to find little gifts to take back home.

I found these little recipe books all over Britain.

They only cost two pound and are small and light enough to pack into your port easily.

What ever county or area you are in you can find these books with special recipes for that area. For instance...FAVOURITE COTSWOLD RECIPES,
FAVOURITE SCOTTISH RECIPES,
FAVOURITE WILTSHIRE RECIPES.

They were a real bargain and the recipes themselves are really good!

They are in most gift and souvineer shops.


What To Pay: Two pound.

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Theme: Books