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During the 18th century, the building was used as a public house. By the late 19th century, the buildings were in a ruinous condition, but in 1912, restoration was begun by Captain F W Grantham. In 1943, the Abbey was purchased by William Foyle, owner of Foyles bookshop.
The abbey is now a private residence and is not generally open to the public, but small private groups can be shown around it by prior arrangement on specific dates, through "Invitation to View". The roofs of the resilient mediaeval buildings can be seen from a footpath that runs down market hill and ends following the River Chelmer. The Abbey gardens, are now also open to the public, on specific days during the summer months.