Helen & Douglas House

This one’s slightly round the corner from the High Street proper, but well worth a visit. Besides a lovely collection of clothes (last time there were lots of posh party frocks and a Hard Rock Café leather jacket for £50), they have some great bric-a-brac shelves. I’ve found some real bargains here: prices are often cheaper than in London charity shops. For instance on a recent trip I spotted ginger jars for £2.50 each.

They also have some lovely carved wooden first-hand stuff. Kids mini jigsaws and money boxes with little carved animals on them. Lovely and very reasonably priced. In the back they have a book nook. It has to be described that way: nice neat shelves and a central padded bench were you can sit and read if you wish. The staff are friendly, and I defy anyone not to find something of interest.