Archaeological evaluation of the new lion enclosure, Colchester Zoo, Maldon Road, Stanway, Essex, CO3 0SL: November 2025

An archaeological evaluation (seven trial-trenches) was carried out at Colchester Zoo, Maldon Road,
Stanway, Essex in advance of the construction of a new lion enclosure and associated works.
Colchester Zoo is located close to sites of Middle Iron Age, Late Iron Age and Roman date, some of
national significance. Evaluation revealed six features. Two ditches represent the remains of a post-
medieval field boundary ditch that is visible on the 1st edition OS map of 1874. Other features include
a 19th-century pit, possible medieval pit/silt patch, an undated gully and an undated pit. Sherds of
medieval pottery could be related to medieval activity in the hamlet of Heckfordbridge and three
worked flints attest to prehistoric activity in the Roman River valley.