5 Stratford Opshops to Explore & Bonus Shops

After my weekend in Whanganui opshopping and exploring, I spent some time in Stratford. It was another opportunity to check out the Stratford  opshops in the area, with a stop at Inglewood and The Bank in Eltham along the way. Stratford and Inglewood sit close together in the Taranaki region, so it’s an easy pairing if you’re building a Taranaki opshopping day.

I’ve put all the shops I visited on a map so if your planning your day it makes it easier.

Stratford Opshops

Here’s the list of shops I visited:

• Hospice Shop
• St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Op Shop 
• Salvation Army Family Store
• SPCA Op Shop 
• SPCA Op Shop (Inglewood)

 

Best For..

• Big Browse and Bric-a-Brac  – The Hospice Shop in Stratford is big and bright, and was loaded with Christmas decorations when I visited. If you like a proper dig through shelves, start here.
• Clothing and Furniture – Salvation Army Family Store covers both clothing and furniture, so it’s worth a look if you’re after either.
• A Reliable Quick Stop – Both SPCA shops (Stratford and Inglewood) are nice, bright, and well laid out, good for a quick browse if you’re short on time. The Inglewood SPCA was the only shop open there on my visit, so it’s worth checking opening days if you’re making a special trip.

 

 

Tips for Stratford Opshops

• Check opening days before you go: St Andrew’s was closed when I visited, and Inglewood only had one shop open, so it pays to call ahead if you’re making a special trip out to either town.
• Pair it with Eltham: The Bank in Eltham isn’t a typical opshop but it’s a great stop on the same route if you’re heading between Whanganui and Stratford.
• Go early for the best picks: Like most op shops, restocking tends to happen in the mornings, so earlier in the day generally means fresher stock on the shelves.
• Bring cash: Some smaller stores prefer it, and a few may add a surcharge on card payments.

 

Video Overview of Stratford Opshops

will include other opshops in the Taranaki Region

 

The Bank in Eltham

Formerly the BNZ bank, The Bank in Eltham is now home to artist in residence Mark Bellringer, a painter and photographer who displays some of his art while working on new pieces. It’s found amongst a gift shop run by his partner Barbara Valentine, with a mix of new items and retro treasures.

If you look at the playlist above you’ll see a short video giving you a brief view of The Bank. It’s worth stopping just to see how it’s been revamped.

Final Word on Stratford Opshops

Stratford and Inglewood make an easy pairing for a Taranaki opshopping trip, especially if you’re already passing through on the way to or from New Plymouth. Between the Hospice Shop, Salvation Army, and the SPCA stores in both towns, there’s a decent spread to work through in an afternoon, and The Bank in Eltham is worth the detour on its own.

Heading to Stratford from Whanganui there is also a number of opshops to see in Hawera. If you’re heading to the wider Taranaki area, New Plymouth also has a good number of opshops and secondhand stores, which you can read about in Rainy Day Fun Exploring New Plymouth’s Second-Hand Shops.

 

Let me know if I’ve missed any opshops in Stratford and Inglewood, I might have to make another trip.

Happy shopping, Jenny – follow me on Insta or Youtube