An archaeological watching brief during ground preparation for a self-built project was undertaken at Fishpool arm near Ravenshead, Nottinghamshire. This entailed the construction of a new single storey dwelling with an integral garage and a conservatory, and a separate L-shaped stable block set within a walled courtyard. None of the trenches produced any archaeological material. The soils in the western part were consistently clean and undisturbed by even recent agricultural activity. The eastern part only revealed relatively modern building debris.