A trial-trenched evaluation was undertaken within the grounds of Severalls Hospital, Colchester, in advance of redevelopment (CBC application 152733: Reserved matters approval for Phase 2 of the re-development of former Severalls Hospital pursuant to outline application reference 151401, for 730 new-build residential dwellings, open space, landscaping, parking, access and associated infrastructure).<1> 49 trenches totalling 2322.36 sqm were opened over an area of 42.13ha, within accessible areas of the site. Seven small pits filled with a significant charcoal content were identified and though without any finds they are comparable with other pits found in previous works from which a date of the Late Iron Age to Early Roman periods has been determined (ECC3811). These were concentrated in two areas of the site: in the northern part of the site (Trenches T14 to T18) and in the eastern part of the site (Trenches 31, 32, 35 and 36). Radiocarbon analysis of a charcoal sample from one of the pits (F68, Trench 35) returned a date within the 2nd century BC. With these possible exceptions, the only archaeological features present were either a part of the 19th century agricultural landscape, or the 20th century workings associated with the construction and use of Severalls Hospital. The trial-trenched evaluation followed a geophysical survey in 2016 (ECC3799).<2>