Johnny Depp's secret new life in rural Sussex with sprawling mansion
Johnny Depp has traded the chaos of Hollywood for the quiet life of a secluded country mansion in East Sussex. The Caribbean actor appears determined to find peace in the rolling hills of rural England. Locals have spotted the 62-year-old Hollywood star strolling the high street in nearby Wadhurst and have also been seen wandering the grounds of his impressive and historic home.
The ten-bedroom manor dates back to the 1850s and is hidden behind towering trees, ornate gates, and Gothic statues. The estate includes sunken gardens, water features, orchards, an open-air amphitheatre, and two staff cottages. According to a report, the star has often been spotted enjoying breakfast on a terrace overlooking the Sussex countryside.
'Mr Depp knows this area well and he loves it here,' a local source said. "It's a beautiful home and very peaceful.'
His connection to the area reportedly began with visits to his late friend, guitarist Jeff Beck, who offered support during Depp's darkest days, even inviting him on stage when others turned their backs.
Depp stayed at Beck's 16th-century farmhouse during the pandemic and remains close to Beck's widow, Sandra.
Unlike the Cotswolds - favoured by stars like Hugh Grant, Stella McCartney, and Ellen DeGeneres - East Sussex offers anonymity.
'Johnny's choice of a very quiet corner of Sussex rather than the goldfish bowl that the Cotswolds has become for big stars tells you all you need to know about his mindset: he wants peace and quiet,' one showbiz insider told The Daily Mail.
'And he has no interest in being judged by the kind of people who walked away from him.'
Depp's career was nearly destroyed after losing a UK libel case in 2020, being labeled a "wife beater," and then dropped from major roles, including Fantastic Beasts and Pirates of the Caribbean.
Although he won a U.S. defamation case against Heard in 2022, the damage to his reputation was severe.
'I was shunned, dumped, booted, deep-sixed, cancelled, however you want to define it,' Depp said in a recent interview. 'Would I rather have not gone through that? Of course. But I learned more than I ever dreamed I could.'
Now he's making a slow return as he was recently chauffeured from Sussex to the London premiere of Modigliani: Three Days On The Wing Of Madness—his first time directing since 1997. The film, set in WWI-era Paris, stars Riccardo Scamarcio and Al Pacino.
His current residence is owned by multimillionaire Prudence Watts, 74, known locally for her garden centre and quiet philanthropy.
The home, regarded as one of the finest in the area, reportedly rents for between £30,000 and £40,000 a month. It is owned by Prudence Watts, whose late husband, Kevan Watts, was a banker known for helping turn Merrill Lynch into a major global financial firm.
Despite the tight security around the property, Depp's presence has caused little disruption in the area. 'He seems like a really nice, down-to-earth bloke,' said one local 'Being in East Sussex will do him some good.'
Another person added: 'None of us are perfect—not even Johnny Depp. If I see him again, I'm going to ask for a selfie. I'm sure he won't mind.'
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