Context. Many ultra diffuse galaxies (UDGs) have now been identified in clusters of galaxies. However, the number of nearby UDGs suitable for detailed follow-up remain rare. Aims. Our aim is to begin to identify UDGs in the environments of nearby bright early-type galaxies from the VEGAS survey. Methods. Here we use a deep g band image of the NGC 5846 group, taken as part of the VEGAS survey, to search for UDGs. Results. We found one object with properties of a UDG if it associated with the NGC 5846 group, which seems likely. The galaxy, we name NGC 5846_UDG1, has an absolute magnitude of M_g = −14.2, corresponding to a stellar mass of ∼10⁸M_⊙. It also reveals a system of compact sources which are likely globular clusters. Based on the number of globular clusters detected we estimate a halo mass that is greater than 8 × 10¹⁰M_⊙ for UDG1.