If you’re from Birmingham you’ll know all about the Harborne Mile. Back in the day it was a rite of passage to stumble down the high street attempting to drink in every single pub. These days I can’t think of anything worse. The thought of tequila shots and sticky floors makes me shudder. But a leisurely afternoon wandering in and out of charity shops with a tote bag on my shoulder and a decent slice of cake waiting at the end? Now that’s more my style.
On a recent mooch along Harborne High Street it suddenly hit me that the new Harborne Mile isn’t about pints at all. It’s about bargains, second hand finds and the joy of unearthing treasure on the charity shop circuit. So here it is, my ultimate guide to the new Harborne Mile, charity shop edition.
Oxfam: 171 High Street
Oxfam is the go-to when you want charity shop browsing with a bit of polish. Alongside the usual rails of clothes and shelves of books, this branch always has a lovely mix of ethically sourced and sustainable gifts made especially for Oxfam stores. My personal weakness is the chocolate. I can never resist checking what’s on offer because I know the brands they champion are good through and through.
British Heart Foundation: 159 High Street
The British Heart Foundation always feels like one of the easier shops to browse. This branch is tidy, spacious, and never feels cluttered which is saying something for a charity shop. The stock is really varied, so you never quite know what you’re going to stumble across, but the joy is that you actually have room to take your time and enjoy it. It’s less of a rummage and more of a leisurely wander, which makes the whole experience that bit nicer.
Barnardo’s: 117 High Street
Barnardo’s has two stores and this children’s one is the go-to for kids’ bits and bobs. I always donate toys here, and I love that the stock feels varied but still decent quality. This is also the shop where Arlo spends his pocket money usually on the most random little treasures that only make sense to him. It’s the kind of place where you never know what you’ll find, which is half the fun. I’ve even managed to grab a waterproof jacket for him here in a total emergency when Harborne decided to unleash a month’s worth of rain in one afternoon.
PDSA: 140 High Street
This PDSA branch is on the smaller side, but it has a special place in my heart because, well, animals. I can never resist popping in, and I’ve picked up some really cute little bits and bobs here including cat toys, of course. It might not be the biggest shop on the mile, but it’s one I’ll always support for the cause alone.
Oxfam Books: 134 High Street
There’s nothing quite like a good bookshop, and this Oxfam branch ticks all the boxes. It’s neatly organised, easy to browse, and the kind of place where you can happily lose half an hour. Arlo’s recently fallen in love with it too now that he’s discovered Roald Dahl, so now it’s become a weekly ritual to pop in and see what treasures we can unearth. I’ve picked up some gorgeous books here at really reasonable prices, and I’ll never say no to another recipe book. Can you ever really have enough? I don’t think so.
Acorns: 88 – 94 High Street
Acorns is less of a shop and more of a treasure trove. It’s absolutely huge, like stepping into a charity shop warehouse. You could easily spend a couple of hours exploring all the nooks and crannies. I really appreciate that the clothing here is organised by size, which makes life so much easier. My best find was a gorgeous jacket for just £10 from a well-known high street brand. Even second hand on Vinted it would have cost me more than double, so this one felt like a proper bargain win. They also have rows upon rows of crockery and kitchen stuff which I always check for my beloved Woods Ware collection, and anything which will be useful in my classroom at school. You can never have enough ramekins!
Barnardo’s: 81a High Street
While the first Barnardo’s is all about kids’ treasures, this one is firmly for the grown ups. It’s always neat, tidy, and beautifully displayed. You can tell the team here take real care with how everything looks. Stock rotates quickly too, which means there’s usually something new to spot each time you visit. The only catch is if you see something you love, grab it then and there. Chances are it won’t be waiting for you next time.
Cancer Research UK: 67 High Street
The seasonal displays here are always on point. They’re brilliant at curating items around themes, so whether it’s Halloween, Easter or Christmas, you’ll usually find something fun and festive. If you’re on the lookout for little bits of décor, kids’ activities or themed bargains without the big price tags, this is definitely the place to check first.
Headway: 58 High Street
Headway might be another one of the smaller shops on the mile, but the prices are spot on. It’s a great place to pick up basics like simple jumpers, and they’ve also got a surprisingly good DVD collection. I’ve been chatting with Arlo recently about old films I loved as a kid, and to my delight I finally tracked down a copy of Andre (the movie about a seal) here. Total win, and exactly the kind of unexpected find that makes charity shop hunting so much fun.
Sue Ryder: 53 – 59 High Street
Sue Ryder is one of the biggest shops on the Harborne Mile, and it’s a proper treasure chest. The variety here is impressive, everything from clothes and crockery to full on furniture. One thing that really caught my eye recently was their range of Frenchic paint, which has a fandom of its own. If you’re into furniture upcycling, this is definitely the place to come for supplies. Personally, I’ve managed to bag some brilliant bits of crockery and bakeware here too perfect for topping up my classroom collection without breaking the bank.
Reloved Revolution: 48 – 50 High Street
Created by Birmingham Hospice, Reloved Revolution is in a league of its own. Stepping inside feels more like an Urban Outfitters than a traditional charity shop. The millennial dream! Think carefully curated rails, colour coordinated displays, and that effortlessly cool vintage aesthetic everyone’s chasing these days. I don’t care if it’s a cliché. When the money’s going to such a brilliant cause, I’m here for it. Charity shop of the year 2024!
The real joy is how good the shopping experience feels. I brought my sister along for her first visit and she walked out with armfuls because everything just looks too good to resist. As if that wasn’t enough, there’s an awesome café upstairs “Evoke” where you can flop down with a slab of cake and admire your haul. Honestly, it’s the perfect finale to the new Harborne Mile for millennials.
Next time you’ve got an afternoon to spare, why not give the charity shop mile a go? You never know what you might