The stratigraphically earliest feature identified in the second targeted excavation area was a ditch which ran northwards from the southern site edge. Approximately 11m length of this feature was exposed: it appeared to terminate within the excavated area, as its north end, which was truncated by a ring-ditch, did not reappear beyond it.

The ditch was a substantial feature surviving to a width of 1.40m and a depth of 0.50m, with an irregular profile form and flat base; no dating evidence was retrieved from either of its fills. At the point where it extended outside the excavated area, the ditch was cut by smaller, shallower feature, but not enough of this feature was exposed to ascertain whether it was a pit or the northern terminal of a possible partial recut of the ditch. No feature stratigraphically contemporary with this ditch could be identified, and no undated feature could be spatially associated with it, although two pits could be thought to continue its line.

R. D. Savage, L. Brocklehurst & S. Palmer-Brown, 2021, Phases 3 and 3B, Fairham Pastures, West of Nottingham Road, Clifton, Rushcliffe, Nottinghamshire: Scheme of Archaeological Mitigation (Evaluation and Targeted Excavation) Combined Report (Unpublished document). SNT6051.