A watching brief was undertaken during the excavation of a large lagoon at Stud Farm, Rufford, Nottinghamshire. The site is archaeologically sensitive, lying close to the Cistercian Abbey of Rufford, founded in the 12th century, and the later park and garden of the post-suppression house that succeeded it. The investigation revealed a possible stone-packed posthole, though there is potential the stone could be a natural erratic and no associated features were discovered. To the south of the development area a ditch with flanking banks was noted. This may be a boundary of a post-medieval deer park known to have been located in the area. Pottery dating to the 19th century was retrieved during the investigation.