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 district from 1974 to 2009. Smaller towns and villages surrounding Hexham include Corbridge, Riding Mill, Stocksfield and Wylam to the east, Acomb and Bellingham towards the north, Allendale to the south and Haydon Bridge, Bardon Mill and Haltwhistle to the west. Newcastle upon Tyne is nearly 25 miles (40 km) to the east. With mention to the 2011 Census, the town has a permanent population of about 11829. Hexham's architectural landscape is headed by Hexham Abbey. The existing church largely dates from around 1170, built 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 time frame. The east end was rebuilt in 1860. The abbey stands at the west side of the market place, which is home to the Shambles, a Grade II covered market built 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 building, and was used 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 open up 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 magazine 'Country Life'. For all of your home upgrades, make sure to find trustworthy contractors in Hexham to make certain of quality.