The 35-year-old is studying at Oxford University, in the city where she grew up, having opted to study a Master’s degree in creative writing in 2023.

It was announced last year that Ms Watson had switched to a DPhil while on her acting break, and she previously had studied at two local schools, the Dragon School and Headington School.

The actress is well known for her iconic role as Hermione Granger in all eight of the Harry Potter films, released from 2001 to 2011.

READ MORE: Leonardo DiCaprio buys £95m Cotswolds castle for mega movie deal

Patti Smith.

In a report by Far Out this week, it has been said that rock legend Patti Smith helped Ms Watson with an issue in the past.

The American singer, who has been labelled by critics and fans as the “godmother of punk”, played a show at Oxford’s New Theatre back in September 2024.

Far Out reports that Mrs Smith gave Ms Watson some advice about dealing with press attention.

The actress previously told Variety: “She [Patti Smith] said I needed to find a way to block out the noise.”

READ MORE: Ryan Reynolds in the Cotswolds as Blake Lively meets Prue Leith

Emma Watson is currently studying in Oxford. (Image: PA)

Mrs Smith is said to have been impressed that the Harry Potter star managed to ignore any attention despite being in a crowded space.

The 79-year-old was referring to a previous gig of hers, which Ms Watson attended, revealing the actress had managed to enjoy it.

“I was interested that despite everyone watching her, she still managed to dance and interact with her friend that night as any girl her age might,” said Mrs Smith previously.

The Oscar-winning actor has completed the purchase of the sprawling estate on the edge of the tiny Oxfordshire village of Upper Fibbingdon-on-the-Green.

According to inside sources today (Wednesday, April 1), the 51-year-old is also enrolling on a drama degree at Oxford University, saying he hopes to “pick up a few acting tips” while also working on other movies such as Once Upon a Time in Cotswolds in addition to The Wolf of Broad Street.

READ MORE: Taylor Swift to study music degree at Oxford University

Leonardo DiCaprio. (Image: Ian West / PA)

His agent described it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Mr DiCaprio to immerse himself in British student life while continuing to develop his craft away from the glare of Hollywood.

The representative added that the star wanted a base that allowed him to live like a local while still having room for friends, family and the occasional A‑list visitor.

Dating back to the 14th century, Fibbingdon Castle is a turreted, honey-stone pile overlooking rolling fields and dry-stone walls.

The property comes with a private cinema, an underground car museum and a disguised helipad in the grounds.

READ MORE: Beyonce visits Cotswolds in helicopter to house hunt with Jay-Z

The choclate-box Cotswolds village. (Image: Newsquest)

Locals say the estate, which has been in private hands for generations, has rarely been seen beyond its high Cotswold stone walls and iron gates.

Reaction in Upper Fibbingdon-on-the-Green, a chocolate-box hamlet just a short drive from Oxford, has been mixed as word of the sale has spread.

Inoa Lye, a retired teacher who has lived in the village for 40 years, was left delighted at the thought of a Hollywood star moving in.

She said: “It’ll put us on the map, won’t it?

“If he wants to pop down to the pub quiz or help judge the village fete cake competition, he’ll be very welcome.”

READ MORE: Ryan Reynolds in the Cotswolds as Blake Lively meets Prue Leith

Fibbingdon Castle dates back to the 14th century. (Image: Newsquest)

Mr DiCaprio will follow in the star-studded footsteps of several celebrities who live in the Cotswolds, including Jeremy Clarkson, Kate Moss, Ellen DeGeneres, and the Beckhams.

Former University professor Telung Porkis, who now lives in Upper Fibbingdon, said: “We’ve already got weekenders, YouTubers and people with more Labradors than sense.

“Now we’re getting the Wolf of Broad Street and his entourage? Pull the other one.”

Farmer Nott Reel said: “As long as he sticks to the footpaths and doesn’t try to land a helicopter in my sheep field, we’ll get along just fine.

READ MORE: Princess Beatrice’s husband gives £3m Cotswolds home life insight

Upper Fibbingdon-on-the-Green in the Cotswolds. (Image: Newsquest)

“If he fancies sponsoring the village football team while he’s here, even better.”

Local author B.S. Tale added: “We moved here for the tranquillity, not for red carpets and camera crews. I’m sure he’s a nice chap, but I don’t want paparazzi hiding in my hedgerow.”

Mr DiCaprio is expected to take up residence later this year, once discreet security upgrades and interior work are completed at the 14th century castle.

The shocking Oxfordshire news comes after it was announced that Manchester City footballer Erling Haaland has signed for Oxford United in a surprise loan move.

Armanto Tzourtzi, of Cowley Road, Oxford, is on trial at Oxford Crown Court.

The 24-year-old has pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape and one count of assaulting a female by penetration.

The allegations relate to an incident in the early hours of August 2, 2023.

On Monday, March 30, prosecution barrister Edward Lucas opened the case for the jury.

The jury heard that on the night in question there had been a lock-in at The Cowley Retreat, in Cowley Road, as a leaving party for a member of staff.

Mr Lucas told the jury that both the defendant and the complainant were in attendance.

READ MORE: Abingdon – Faces revealed of jailed county lines dealers

Oxford Crown Court (Image: Contributed)

Tzourtzi had been part of a group from The Baron, which is also in Cowley Road.

Mr Lucas said: “She (the complainant) said she was not drunk and had full capacity to make decisions.

“They were speaking and he (Tzourtzi) put his arm round her.”

The jury heard that the lock-in finished at around 3.30am and a group went back to the woman’s flat in Headington.

Everyone except the defendant left the flat at around 4.30am.

Mr Lucas told the jury that this was when the alleged rape took place.

The barrister said: “He was forceful and bit her lip. She didn’t know what he was capable of. He forced her head down to give him oral sex.

“At that stage, she describes her mindset as completely changing

“She gagged and vomited over him. He grabbed her chest area. She told him to stop three times.

“She describes him as being harsh, not gentle. She was crying.”

The jury then heard Tzourtzi allegedly pushed her onto the bed and ‘anally raped’ her.

Mr Lucas said: “She left the room at the first opportunity. She was inconsolable. She told her friend she had been raped.

“She felt confused and was trying to process what happened.”

Police was contacted and Tzourtzi was arrested in Cowley Road. During his police interview, he gave an account to police that the sexual activity was consensual and that she didn’t tell him to stop and didn’t vomit.

Mr Lucas added: “Every person has the right to make a free choice about what sexual activity they consent to.”

In a video recorded interview the woman gave shortly after the incident, she said: “I was drinking, but not to the point that I was drunk and out of control.

“I felt I still had capacity to make decisions.”

The trial continues.