An archaeological evaluation of a one hectare area of Ely, located at Forehill and Lisle Lane, was undertaken by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit on behalf of Bennett Plc, in accordance with a brief set by the Archaeology Office of Cambridgeshire County Council. Historic and Documentary research suggested the likelihood of significant archaeological remains along the Forehill frontage, to be correlated with the standing building number 47 Forehill. This building incorporates a 13-14th century crown-post roof structure, and is probably one surviving bay of a three-bay building. It is a listed building. Evaluation excavation confirmed the survival of more than 1.2 metres thickness of archaeological stratigraphy pre-dating the 19th century along most or all of the Forehill frontage (an area 20 metres wide along 50 metres of frontage). There appears to be less than 60 centimetres of recent disturbance on top of the sequence. Recovery of ‘wasters’ and kiln-furniture suggests the presence of a 14th century kiln and pottery production workshop within the vicinity. Watertable was reached above the base of stratigraphy, and the lowest layers visible contained degraded wood. The base of stratigraphy was not reached. The remainder of the area was found to be badly disturbed by 19-20th century buildings, especially those of the Forehill Brewery. Where these buildings stood no archaeological stratigraphy survives. In one gap between buildings a wall may be tentatively linked to a formal garden depicted in the area on the Speed map of 1610.