Botley is a historic village in Hampshire, England, approximately 3 miles east of Southampton. It was developed as a natural crossing point for the River Hamble, and received its first market charter from Henry III in 1267. The village grew on the success of its mills, its coaching inns, and more recently strawberries, and was described as "the most delightful villa…Botley is a historic village in Hampshire, England, approximately 3 miles east of Southampton. It was developed as a natural crossing point for the River Hamble, and received its first market charter from Henry III in 1267. The village grew on the success of its mills, its coaching inns, and more recently strawberries, and was described as "the most delightful village in the world" by 18th century journalist and radical politician William Cobbett.