Hexham is a market town and civil parish in the English county of Northumberland. It is situated south of the River Tyne, and was the administrative hub for the Tynedale area from 1974 to 2009. Smaller towns and villages surrounding Hexham feature Corbridge, Riding Mill, Stocksfield and Wylam towards the east, Acomb and Bellingham to the north, Allendale towards the south and Haydon Bridge, Bardon Mill and Haltwhistle towards the west. Newcastle upon Tyne is approximately 25 miles (40 km) to the east. With mention to the 2011 Census, the town has a permanent population of approximately 11829. Hexham's architectural landscape is dominated by Hexham Abbey. The present church mainly dates from about 1170, constructed in the Early English Gothic design of architecture. The choir, north and south transepts and the cloisters, where canons studied and meditated, date from this period. The east end was restored in 1860. The abbey stands at the west side of the market place, which is home to the Shambles, a Grade II covered market created in 1766 by Sir Walter Blackett. At the east end of the market place is the Moot Hall, a 15th-century gatehouse that was part of the town's defences. The Moot Hall is a Grade I listed structure, and was employed as a courthouse until 1838. The Moot Hall now houses the Council offices of the Museums Department and the ground floor is an art gallery available to hire. Hexham won the Town award in the 2005 Britain in Bloom awards. In the same year Hexham was also called 'England's Favourite Market Town' by the publication 'Country Life'. For all your house upgrades, be sure to find trustworthy contractors in Hexham to make certain of quality.