AROUND Chichester Harbour is a tiny village that has been compared to Italy’s city of Venice thanks to its waterways.
While it doesn’t have the Italian extravagance or a canal network, the beautiful village does have classic English charm, waterways and quayside passages.
This village is called Bosham, which is pronounced ‘Bozzum’, is perched on one of the small inlets of Chichester Harbour.
Bosham is considered one of the most beautiful villages in the UK due to its picturesque waterfront along with its rich history, and scenic beauty.
The Telegraph even named it as part of its 30 ‘greatest villages’ earlier this year.
In the publications pick of the most ‘beautiful but uncrowded British villages’ from all over the country, Bosham came in 18th place.
The Telegraph said: “The liveliness of Bosham cannot be overstated.
“Approach the old heart along Shore Road – which gets covered at high tide, only adding to the charm of the place – and you may just expire from sheer overload of beauty.”
The publication added that during the summertime the village green is a popular spot for anyone wanting to enjoy a peaceful picnic or play a game of badminton.
The village is small with a population of just under three thousand.
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So apart from gazing at the beautiful surroundings, there’s not too much to do there with its church and harbour being the main attractions.
But you can still pop into some of its pubs like the waterside The Anchor Bleu and The Berkeley Arms.
When it comes to cafes, check out Pop-In, Shoreside Cafe and The Crate.
During the summer months, the village becomes popular for boating with locals and tourists taking them out from the harbour.
Bosham also has some award-winning places to stay, in 2024, Bosham Boathouse was named England’s best B&B in the Visit England Awards.
The Bed & Breakfast in the village has four rooms The Sail Loft, The Apuldram, The Garden Room and The Chidham.
Each room has comfy king-size beds with a flat-screen TV and en-suite bathroom with a shower and Wi-Fi.
There’s a garden set up with picnic tables where guests can enjoy breakfast or drinks amongst the greenery.
For those who fancy exploring more picturesque villages, check out the neighbouring destinations of Fishbourne and Nutbourne which is home to Nutbourne Vineyards.
Here are some quaint British villages with toy-town cottages, car-free roads and cosy pubs – handpicked by our travel writers…
Lavenham, Suffolk – Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor
“One of my favourite villages I’ve ever visited in England is Lavenham, which is beautiful in autumn. Said to be the best preserved medieval village in the UK, it is known for two buildings – the 600-year-old Crooked House and the De Vere House, which featured in the Harry Potter films.”
Robin Hood’s Bay, Yorkshire – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor
“Perched atop a craggy cliff, overlooking a dinky shore, Robin Hood’s Bay seems like something from a fiction tale or a North Yorkshire postcard.
“In summer, you’ll find dogs sprinting along the sands, while owners tuck into fresh crab sandwiches from the beachside hut and little ones fish for treasures in the rock pools.
“I prefer the village in winter, though, when the weather takes a turn and nature comes alive with the grassy dunes dancing in the wind and moody waves thrashing on the rocks.”
Hay On Wye, Wales – Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel – Digital
“When I first set foot in Hay-On-Wye, I couldn’t believe I’d left it until my late thirties to visit – what a waste of a few decades.
“The small town on the Welsh borders that sits on the River Wye is probably best known for hosting the annual Hay literary festival, and it’s definitely a book-lovers paradise – with more than 20 book stores to explore.
“They sit among the many antiques shops, which sell everything from fabulous Welsh rugs to toy soldiers, trinkets and beautiful furniture.”
Letchmore Heath, Hertfordshire – Lisa Minot, Head of Travel
“This quintessential little village may seem very familiar to some. It’s tiny – with just 150 houses, a village green, a pond and a lovely pub, The Three Horseshoes.
“But with Elstree Studios just up the road, it has been used as a set in countless films, in particular the 1960s British horror movie, Village of the Damned.
“Its close proximity to London – just half an hour away on a train from nearby Radlett or Elstree and Borehamwood station – means it’s easy to get to.”
For more UK villages, visitors call this one ‘a Cotswolds dream’ and it has two of the country’s best hotels.
And make sure to check out the most beautiful village in the world which is in the UK and has very famous row of houses.