The mansion at Castle Hill known as the “Great House” is nearly a century old. | Photo by @selkiyang
There’s a mansion on the North Shore that’s witnessed the devil. Well, Jack Nicholson portraying the devil, anyways.
When shooting the supernatural 1987 comedy “The Witches of Eastwick,” filmmakers needed an opulent location to serve as the home of main character Daryl Van Horne — aka Jack Nicholson’s version of Old Scratch. They eventually selected Castle Hill, a piece of Ipswich’s historic Crane Estate.
Comprising of a near-century-old mansion — called the Great House — and 165 acres, the seaside property attracts tourists every year with its stunning architecture and topography. Yet few folks are aware of the estate’s eerie role in the film adaptation of John Updike’s fantasy novel.
Castle Hill’s grounds span 165 acres at Crane Estate.
Castle Hill’s grounds and Great House appear throughout the movie as Daryl Van Horne’s home, where he woos a trio of local witches. If you need a refresher, they’re played by an enchanting dream team of Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer. The Great House’s elegant brick exterior offered the perfect stand-in for Van Horne’s “Lenox House.” For interior scenes, the shoot moved to Boston’s Boch Center Wang Theatre.
Here’s what you need to know before you visit the bewitching scene:
This week, Noah’s BBQ opened at South Shore Plaza in Braintree. The menu will feature Texas-style barbecue — including brisket — plus wings, mac and cheese, cole slaw + other coveted sides. (10 News Boston)
Civic
Did you know? Boston’s Citywide Project Tracker provides information on all active and planned City projects by neighborhood. For instance: You can apply filters to the map to see which projects are currently in the design or construction phase for South End.
Arts
Celebrate the season with Holiday Pops at Symphony Hall. Enjoy all your festive favorites — from The Twelve Days of Christmas to Sleigh Ride — as Keith Lockhart marks 30 years at the podium. Pro tip: The best seats always go fast, so secure yours.*
Eat
Next month, Boston restaurants will be included for the first time in the Michelin Guide’s northeastern cities edition. The Boston Globe has some predictions for which spots could win a coveted star.
Trending
We hope they enjoyed Boston. If you noticed a new big cruiser in the harbor, it’s because the Norwegian Aqua ship was detoured on its way to Bermuda — due to storm conditions caused by Hurricane Imelda. Passengers aboard will receive 10% off their next voyage. (7 News)
Closing
The TJ Maxx store on Newbury Street will close permanently by Jan. 3, 2026. The company cited changing retail and real estate strategies as the reason + will allow employees the option to relocate to other store locations. (Boston.com)
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Finance
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The Buy
Your must-have Halloween decor to celebrate the season, ranging from how cute to oh my:
👻 These three ceramic ghost lights are almost too cute to stand (and come with batteries).
🕯️ A No. 1 best-seller, this floating candle set will add flickering, cozy warmth to any Halloween display.
🧹 Floating witch hats show your Halloween spirit and are perfect for a party.
🕸️ The Addams family would approve of this black lace spiderweb cover decking out your mantle.
☠️ Make the neighbors do a double-take with a best-selling hands and skull set popping out of your yard.
This month — my favorite month — I’m celebrating one year in Boston. Here’s hoping the temperatures are chilly, the days are sunny, the foliage is bright, the Red Sox beat the Yankees, and my building gets a pumpkin display.
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