Johnny Depp has revealed he prefers a quiet life in Somerset, where he resides on an 850-acre estate that includes a 19th-century mansion.
The 59-year-old actor – known for being one of Hollywood’s biggest stirrups – insisted he’s not “the big extrovert that people think” in a surprise interview with Somerset Life.
In 2014 he invested £13m in a Downton Abbey-style estate in the West Country that has 12 bedrooms, eight bathrooms and 850 acres.
The stunning residence, which looks like it’s straight out of a Jane Austen novel, also boasts extensive walled gardens and a shooting range.
Johnny told the magazine: “I love places with character. Brits are cool and will greet you as if you were a neighbor – without overdoing it. I like going places, seeing things and meeting people – but I’m not the big extrovert that people think I am.
Surprise: Johnny Depp has revealed he prefers a quiet life in Somerset, where he resides on an 850-acre estate with a 19th-century mansion (pictured in 2022)
He added: “The truth is I’m quite a shy person. That’s one of the great things about Britain, and about Somerset in particular. I can just be me – and that’s nice.
“I can go to shops without being surrounded by people wanting selfies. It doesn’t bother me up to a point, but sometimes it gets a little crowded.”
At the time of his purchase, the Pirates of the Caribbean star was newly engaged to now-ex-wife Amber Heard, who wed in 2015 before their 2017 divorce.
Johnny was recently involved in the controversial defamation lawsuit involving Amber, 36.
Last year, the jury found that Amber had defamed her ex-husband in an article alleging she was a victim of domestic violence.
Depp was awarded $15 million in damages. The actress won one of the three countersuits she ordered against Johnny and was awarded $2 million in damages.
Earlier this month, staff at a Lincolnshire antique shop were stunned after movie star Johnny dropped by unannounced to buy some guitars.
In a secret visit to the shop, the Hollywood icon arrived by helicopter at Hemswell Antique Centres, Hemswell Cliff, yesterday afternoon.
Idyllic: The 59-year-old actor, known as one of Hollywood’s biggest hell-raisers, insisted he’s not ‘the big extrovert that people think’ (Somerset stock image)
The meeting was secretly arranged by the antique shop, which has ties to Pinewood Studios, and the Pirates of the Caribbean star left with several guitars.
Robert Miller, who has owned Hemswell Antique Centers for 20 years, said Johnny was really “down to earth”.
He says he was told a special guest would be arriving at 4.30pm on Friday but had to conceal his identity because Johnny “just wanted to relax and walk around without being bombarded by the public”.
Robert added that he overheard the A-list customer talking about the late musician Jeff Beck while testing out various guitars during his visit.
Jeff, who died in January aged 78, released an album with Johnny last year entitled 18 and they played a number of live performances together.
Robert said: “He’s just bought a lot of very quirky items. A desk chair, three guitars, paint sets, easels, a few paintings, posters, just a whole bunch of decorative items for your own possession.
“He chose a vase with a skull on it. guitars obviously. He was very friends, best friend of Jeff Beck, he sat and played a few tunes on this guitar, I think really just for old times sake, and then decided to buy three of the guitars that were there.
Happier times: At the time of his purchase, the star was newly engaged to ex-wife Amber Heard, who wed in 2015 before their 2017 divorce (pictured in 2011).
“I think I overheard him talking (about Beck) to one of his colleagues who was with him.
“It was great because he was his normal self and he was very relaxed and able to spend time looking at things and playing the guitars that he wanted to play. He felt very much at home.’
Robert added: “He came because we work a lot with Pinewood Studios and help out with props, so we have connections. My employees didn’t know until the last minute.
“He really enjoyed his experience here because he was able to be himself. He said he’s in hotels most of the time because he’s constantly being bombarded by people.
“He was very down to earth and very talkative. To have someone like that walk through our doors was brilliant. He played along and bought some guitars. I’m sure he will come back.”
Hemswell Antique Centers is Europe’s largest antiques center and has ties to Pinewood Studios which have produced films such as Superman, Harry Potter and James Bond.