 In 1536 Cleeve was closed by Henry VIII in the course of the Dissolution of the Monasteries and the abbey was converted into a country house.Subsequently, the status of the site declined and the abbey was used as farm buildings until the latter half of the nineteenth century when steps were taken to conserve the remains.In the twentieth century Cleeve was taken into state care; the abbey is now looked after by English Heritage and is open to the public.