This is the first ever Oxfam shop. It is a little bit of history. It is probably the first ever…read morecharity shop. Oxfam is an Oxford institution. The name comes from the telegraph address of the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief which was set up in 1942 to try and get food through the Allied blockade of Europe to the people who were starving in Greece and elsewhere. The headquarters of the British organisation are still in Oxford. Oxfam shops are a British institution. Since 1948 people having been giving their unwanted clothes, books and nick-nacks to Oxfam and other people having been going there to find bargains. The front of this store is full of new goods: fair trade food and jewelery, cards and gifts, books on fair trade, cookery, development and the environment, books for children, CDs of world music and neat bags made from old saris that fold up into their own little pocket so that you can easily carry them around and never accept another plastic bag. Upstairs and downstairs you can still buy second-hand clothes but you are not that likely to find anything really cheap - Oxfam knows it has a shop in a prime real position and the clothes here will be of a higher quality and a higher price than you would find in their Cowley Road branch.

This is a really nice chairty shop, run by very friendly and helpful staff. They sell a good…read moreselection of fair trade gifts- including chocolates, ornaments, and jewellery. They stock a good range of quality second hand goods, with a wide range of books and household goods. They also sell a lot of used stamps, cds, and greetings cards. At Christmas time they sell a wide range of gifts, including special gift certificates such as goats, tree planting, trees, and school books, for families in poor countries. You can usually find soemthing here for everyone on your gift list, and of course you have the added benefit of knowing you are helping such a worthwhile charity. The staff are friendly and helpful and make visits to this shop a pleasure.

While I've yet to buy anything here, I've shopped in here an awful lot! Probably once a month I…read morefind myself in this shop going through the fascinating array of cool gifts, glass, and art they have along with the usual expected giftware. I like this shop because it isn't a chain and so you can get some of the coolest stuff which no one else has. Perfect when you're looking for something unique or different for a gift!

This is always an interesting little shop to visit if you need a gift. So many unusual things;…read morejewellery, ornaments, artworks etc etc. Also has a really good range of quality and unusual birthday cards. Good place to get special, commemorative type gift (eg. for christening or golden wedding anniversary). Upstairs has art - including some original watercolours from local artists.

I have to admit I've never bought anything from this gallery but I love looking in the windows…read more Occasionally, when I haven't got small children in tow I venture in. They have a wide range of original contemporary art. Pottery, sculpture, paintings and now jewelery. They have six exhibitions a year, showing both new and established contemporary artists and a range of work from some of their favourite artists. The website is worth looking at, beautiful things displayed well. Also check out the nearby Turril Sculpture Garden in Summertown library and the North Wall Arts Centre gallery.

This gallery often has interesting art on display in the window, and they are very friendly so…read moredon't feel bad about. going inside even if you've no intention of buying anything. I think it's got a bit more conservative in it's choice of art over time, but I guess they've just come to understand the taste if their clients better. It's a bit of a shame for window shoppers, but they've got to make a living after all! I've bought one or two small things from them: a piece of pottery for my mum (she loves it!) and a picture for me. Well worth a visit when you're in the area.

Great Charity shop, full of bargains. Quite large inside, more stock then usual places but less…read moreclothes. Many more bric a brac items, alot of it junk, but as is always the way treasures are to be found. Has a musty unwashed air about it but staff are always very freindly and helpful and you can rifle about as you need to undisturbed.

This doesn't quite feel like it fits in with the rest of the Covered Market, but it is perhaps a…read moretraditional shop that has been modernised. It's a bit like the shops you get at train stations, except it seems to be independent, so hooray for it! You can buy newspapers and magazines here - the range isn't brilliant, but it has most things - and basic snacks and drinks. It's right by the entrance near Boots, so is great for popping in on your way past. It's quite hard to stop and browse because of being here, and because it's so open, so best to leap in and buy the essentials before heading off.

This is an interesting gallery not just because of the high quality and ever changing paintings,…read moresculptures, jewelery, crafts and cards. It is actually a fund raising shop for Scottish International Relief who spend the profits on projects for children in developing countries. So you can spend money on lovely things and feel good about where your money is going!

Fascinating shop that sells sports related antiques. Everything from old golf clubs & tennis…read morerackets to bronzes of footballers and equestrian paintings. They also sell vintage motorbikes. Also lots of comfy leather armchairs giving it the feel of a gentleman's club or Edwardian library. Housed in a wonderful, old building half way up the Hight Street. Friendly & helpful staff who know what they're talking about.

I love Galeria Brasil! It really fits in with the multicultural, slightly hippie feel of Cowley…read moreRoad. I've never been to Brazil, but this makes me want to go (and at least I needn't worry about buying anything out there when I can get so many nice things here!). The atmosphere is excellent and they have some amazing art and craftwork, ranging from pictures to sculptures to things for around the home. The jewellery is really nice and great for an unsual gift for someone, and the clothes are very exciting - I just wish I was brave enough to wear them! The staff are friendly and happy for you to browse, and they do a 10% discount for students. The best thing about it is that the stock changes, so it's worth popping along every few months to see the new things.