Hexham is a market town and civil parish in the English county of Northumberland. It is located south of the River Tyne, and was the administrative centre for the Tynedale district from 1974 to 2009. Smaller towns and villages around Hexham include Corbridge, Riding Mill, Stocksfield and Wylam towards the east, Acomb and Bellingham to the north, Allendale to the south and Haydon Bridge, Bardon Mill and Haltwhistle to the west. Newcastle upon Tyne is almost 25 miles (40 kilometres) towards the east. With reference to the 2011 Census, the town has a permanent population of about 11829. Hexham's architectural landscape is led by Hexham Abbey. The existing church predominantly dates from roughly 1170, built in the Early English Gothic style of architecture. The choir, north and south transepts and the cloisters, where canons studied and meditated, date from this period. The east end was reconstructed in 1860. The abbey stands at the west side of the market place, which is home to the Shambles, a Grade II covered market developed in 1766 by Sir Walter Blackett. At the east end of the market place is the Moot Hall, a 15th-century gatehouse that pertained to the town's defences. The Moot Hall is a Grade I listed structure, and was used as a courthouse before 1838. The Moot Hall now houses the Council offices of the Museums Department and the ground floor is an art gallery open up to hire. Hexham won the Town award in the 2005 Britain in Bloom awards. In the same year Hexham was additionally called 'England's Favourite Market Town' by the publication 'Country Life'. For all of your home upgrades, make certain to find reliable professionals in Hexham to make certain of quality.