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Poxwell Manor is the Oxwell Hall of Hardy's book. In the novel, Anne Garland the daughter of a painter cannot decide which of the miller Loveday's sons she should marry, tearaway sailor Bob or more refined John. She rejects Festus Derriman the son of Squire Derriman the owner of the hall and chooses John because of his smart uniform as a Trumpet Major. She inherits Oxwell Hall from Squire Derriman giving her and John the wealth and status she always craved. The novel is set round this area and Weymouth which is a few miles to the west.

The manor house was built c.1613 and belonged to the Henning and Trenchard Families. George III visited Edmund Henning the banker frequently at Poxwell on his visits to Weymouth and in the novel Anne shakes hands with the king, guaranteeing her husbands promotion to a higher rank.

Locals pronounce the name Pokeswell and it is sometimes written that way as well.