Ripon, Administrative division in North Yorkshire, England
Ripon is a city with its own civic administration within the Harrogate district in North Yorkshire, England. The settlement sits where the Laver and Skell rivers meet, surrounded by gentle hills and farmland.
In the 7th century, Saint Wilfrid founded a Benedictine monastery at this site, which became the starting point for later urban growth. The royal charter granting market rights was awarded several centuries later and strengthened the settlement's economic role.
The central market square has held the right to host trading stalls for many centuries, with vendors offering produce and goods from the surrounding countryside. This tradition keeps the space active as a meeting point where locals shop and exchange news.
The city is easy to explore on foot, with most sights and services clustered around the central square. Several bus routes link the settlement to surrounding villages and larger cities such as Leeds and York.
Every evening at 9 pm, a horn is sounded at the obelisk on the market square, a tradition maintained for over 1,000 years. This ceremonial act once marked the start of the night watch and is still observed by locals and visitors today.
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