Rufford, in the Newark and Sherwood district of Nottinghamshire, is the site of two villages whose inhabitants were evicted in the 12th century.

Rufford Lane was closed to through-traffic by Nottinghamshire County Council in December 2022, at a point near to the old mill, using a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO),[7] partly due to having become a spectator-attraction with a regular social media following particularly during flooding,[8] exacerbated by vehicles drawn to the area to create a wash for filming.

[9] Nottinghamshire Police made the request for closure after one casualty was reported, a motorcyclist who attempted to cross the watersplash at an inappropriate speed, who afterwards confirmed a mental-health episode, stating "...I'm that one idiot who went through the ford at 50mph on a motorbike".

[10] In December 2023, the council expressed a preference for making the closure permanent, but had to undertake a four-week minimum consultation,[11] starting on 5 February 2024,[10] ending 4 March.

The village street has long-standing traffic calming measures,[14] using raised, textured plateaux and pinch points.