Archaeological monitoring and recording was undertaken by Colchester Archaeological Trust between February and October 2018 during the groundworks for the construction of orangery and replacement porch. The trenching for the porch was 6.3m long x 0.6m wide x 1m deep. The excavations revealed four layers. Tarmac and associated sub-base (L1, c.0.2m thick) sealed modern topsoil (L2, c.0.3, thick) which overlay subsoil (L3, c.0.30m thick). Natural sands (L4, yellow/orange sand) was identified at c.0.80m below current ground level. There were no significant archaeological remains. The excavation of a soakaway, c.2m long x 1.2m wide x 1.25m deep, defined an undated possible ditch F1, c.1m wide x 0.39m deep and aligned WNW-ESE. An undated possible tree throw F2 was also observed, 1.19m wide x 0.62m deep. A second soakaway was excavated c.2m long, x 1.2m wide x 1.4-1.5m deep. Ditch F7 was defined, c.1.1m wide x 0.6m deep, on a N-S alignment. The ditch contained 13 sherds (170g) or Late Iron Age/early Roman pottery. Two post-holes F4 and F5 were cut into the surface of the ditchand so must be early Roman in date at the earliest, although (residual) Late Iron Age material was present in both features. F7 cut a second ditch F6, 1.1.3m wide x 0.42m deep, aligned E-W. Both F6 and F7 cut possible tree-throw or natural feature F8.<1>