Despite its partially ruined state, the Cistercian Abbey at Cleeve retains many of its original internal fabric and decorative surfaces. In particular a number of extremely fine wall paintings have survived and a virtually complete 13th century pavement. However, despite a number of previous interventions, both the pavement and the wall paintings are continuing to deteriorate, largely as a result of environmental factors. In order to enable the causes of deterioration to be controlled, Tobit Curteis Associates was commissioned by English Heritage to undertake a series of detailed environmental investigations in collaboration with their own Building Conservation and Research Team.

Because of the nature of the damage and the partially external location of the objects, the study involved the monitoring of parameters including wind speed and direction, rainfall , solar radiation, sub soil moisture levels and sub surface temperature as well as the more common superficial humidity and temperature.

It is anticipated that the results of the ongoing study will enable measures to be implemented which will minimise the level of deterioration and enable the long term conservation of the paintings and the pavement.