Johnny Depp has revealed he prefers a quiet life in Somerset, where he resides on an 850-acre estate, complete with a 19th-century mansion.

Known as one of Hollywood’s biggest hell-raisers, the actor, 59, insisted he isn’t ‘the great extrovert that people think’.

In 2014, he splashed £13million on a Downton Abbey-style estate in the West Country, which boasts 12 bedrooms, eight bathrooms and 850 acres.

The stunning abode, which looks like it has been taken straight out of a Jane Austen novel, also features sprawling walled gardens.

Depp said: ‘I just love places with character. British people are cool and will greet you as if you are a neighbour — without going over the top. I like going to places, seeing things and meeting people — but I’m not the great extrovert that people think.’

Johnny Depp has revealed he prefers a quiet life in Somerset, where he resides in an 850-acre estate, complete with a 19th-century mansion

He added: ‘In truth, I’m quite a shy person. That’s one of the great things about Britain, and especially Somerset. I can just be me — and that’s nice.

‘I can go into shops without being surrounded by people wanting selfies. I don’t mind that up to a point, but sometimes it gets a little too crowded.’

At the time of his purchase, the Pirates Of The Caribbean star was newly engaged to his now ex-wife Amber Heard, who he married in 2015 before their 2017 divorce.

Depp was recently involved in the contentious defamation trial with Amber, 36.

Last year, the jury found that Heard had defamed her ex-husband in an article claiming she was a victim of domestic abuse.

Depp was awarded $15million in damages. The actress won one of the three counter-claims she ordered against Depp and was awarded $2million in compensatory damages.

Earlier this month, staff at an antiques shop in Lincolnshire were left stunned after film star Johnny dropped in 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: Known as one of Hollywood’s biggest hell-raisers, Depp insisted he isn’t ‘the great extrovert that people think’, preferring to spend time at his home in Somerset (pictured)

The meeting was secretly arranged by the antique shop, which has links to Pinewood Studios. The Pirates of the Caribbean star left with several guitars.

Robert Miller, who has owned Hemswell Antique Centres for 20 years, said Depp was really ‘down-to-earth’.

He said he was told a special guest would arrive at 4.30pm on Friday, but had to conceal his identity because Depp ‘just wanted to relax and walk round without being bombarded by the general public’.

Miller added that he overheard the A-list customer talking about the late musician Jeff Beck while testing different guitars during his visit.

Beck, who died aged 78 in January, released an album with Depp last year titled 18 and they played a number of live gigs together.

Miller said: ‘He just bought a lot of very quirky items. A desk chair, three guitars, paint sets, easels, a few pictures, posters, just a whole range of things for decorative items for his own personal property.

‘He chose a vase with a skull on it. Guitars obviously. He was very friendly with, best friends with Jeff Beck, he sat and played a few tunes on this guitar I think just for old times’ sake really 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 his now ex-wife Amber Heard, who he married in 2015 before their 2017 divorce (pictured in 2011)

‘I think I overheard him talking (about Beck) to one of his colleagues that was with him.

‘It was great because he was his normal self and he was very relaxed and was able to spend time looking at things and playing on the guitars that he wanted to play on. He felt very at home.’

Miller added: ‘He came because we do a lot of work with Pinewood Studios and help with props so have contacts. My staff didn’t know until the last minute.

‘He really enjoyed his experience here because he was able to be himself. He said he is in hotels a lot of the time because he’s constantly bombarded by people.

‘He was very down to earth and very chatty. For someone like that to come through our doors was brilliant. He played with and bought a few guitars. I’m sure he will be back.’

Hemswell Antique Centres is Europe’s largest antiques centre and has links to Pinewood Studios, which has produced films including the Superman, Harry Potter and James Bond franchises.