Shawn Mendes has taken a surprising turn ahead of his global tour, quietly moving into the quiet Cotswolds village of Great Tew. With a population of just 200, the singer appears to have traded red carpets and paparazzi for countryside cafés and historic pubs.
Locals in the Oxfordshire village, already home to British celebrities like David Beckham and Simon Cowell, have spotted the Canadian pop star around town. According to one resident, Mendes has rented a modest home to enjoy some solitude before his international dates begin. “No one ever asks for selfies, so he must love being left alone,” the source noted, adding that he was recently scolded for placing a café order just before the kitchen closed.
Mendes’s most recent album, Shawn, was released in late 2024 and marked a deeply introspective phase in his career. Describing the record at the time, he said, “It helped me reconnect with myself, allowing me to work through emotions, find clarity and feel stronger.” His decision to base himself in Great Tew fits that narrative, with its peaceful countryside and sense of anonymity offering a welcome contrast to the limelight.
He has since jetted off to Budapest for the opening night of his tour, which will include stops in Denmark, Austria, Germany, and London’s O2 Arena before heading to the United States. The tour promises an evolved sound and a renewed sense of purpose.
Fans have taken to social media to share sightings and speculate on how the English countryside is influencing the singer’s next creative phase. So far, Mendes seems content keeping a low profile in one of the UK’s most exclusive but peaceful celeb hideouts.