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A Canadian man living in the UK recently travelled to Newcastle for the first time and was blown away by the city and the surrounding area

Discovering new parts of the UK can reveal some truly stunning sights, from hidden forests to quaint villages boasting top-notch independent coffee shops. However, one Canadian man’s first visit to Newcastle has left locals scratching their heads after he likened a part just outside of the city to the sunny beaches of Greece.

Matt Giffen, originally from Canada but now residing in the UK, recently embarked on his first-ever trip to Newcastle and the surrounding Tyne and Wear area. Keen to explore beyond the city limits, Matt sought out a beach, and his social media followers directed him towards Tynemouth.

Located just eight miles from Newcastle, Tynemouth is easily accessible via the Tyne and Wear Metro, which is precisely how Matt travelled. Within half an hour, he was soaking up local attractions, including the Tynemouth Market, held at the station every weekend.

In a TikTok video documenting his journey, Matt praised Tynemouth for its “wholesome vibes” and suggested it seemed like a “very nice place to live”.

Before hitting the beach, Matt indulged in a classic British dish of fish and chips from Longsands Fish Kitchen, accompanied by a pot of curry sauce.

He remarked: “Can I just say, everyone here is so friendly. It’s like a little pixie fairy town here, it’s not a real place.”

When Matt finally reached King Edward’s Bay, he was taken aback by the tranquillity and cleanliness of the beach. Despite the overcast skies, he even compared the sandy shore to Greece.

He questioned: “Why has nobody told me that the UK has beaches like this? It’s probably so busy here in the summer.”

While enjoying the beach, Matt savoured three oysters from Riley’s Fish Shack, a local eatery perched on the edge of the bay that serves food all year round.

But King Edward’s Bay isn’t Tynemouth’s only beach, and Matt took a brief stroll to Long Sands Beach to give his followers a glimpse of the larger seafront. Capturing footage of surfers, he likened the beach to the renowned Bondi Beach near Sydney, Australia.

He exclaimed: “It’s giving the British version of Bondi Beach.”

Viewers were astonished to learn that Matt, a frequent traveller around the UK, had visited Newcastle and Tynemouth. Many expressed delight that he was sampling local cuisine.

One individual commented: “Thank you, pal! Tynemouth and Whitley Bay are what make us proud of the North East. To be literally 30 mins on a metro near the beach and a city and have the diameter of Newcastle United fans is why we are proud of where we are from. Thank you for putting this on your platform.”

Another chimed in: “I am loving Americans discovering UK food and realising that it isn’t bland and horrible!”

Medical TV show 24 hours in A&E is returning to London hospital St George’s four years after producers announced that it was relocating to Nottingham

Medical reality TV show 24 Hours in A&E which highlights the hectic day to day life of emergency nurses and doctors, is set to return to London after four years. The Channel 4 show will now be filmed in the south west hospital St George’s, four years after relocating to Nottingham.

More than 130 cameras will track and provide viewers with fly on the wall footage of nurses, doctors and patients who walk through the doors of the accident and emergency room. The series has been running since 2014 and Kate Slemeck, who is the Managing Director for St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said that she’s “incredibly proud” to bring it back to St George’s.

“[I’m proud] to showcase the unwavering work of our Emergency Department colleagues and the teams who work with them – from minor injuries to major traumas and everything in-between. A lot has changed since the last time the series was filmed here, including increased demand for our services – but the main thing viewers will take away is the expert care, compassion and kindness our patients receive every day.”

And Gabe Jones, Clinical Director and Consultant for Emergency Medicine and Major Trauma at St George’s, said: “I’m excited to show viewers our brilliant Emergency Department, which continues to deliver excellent care in the most challenging circumstances.”

He continued: “I’m proud of my exceptional colleagues for the life-saving work they will continue to do long after the cameras have stopped rolling, and am grateful to our patients for allowing us to document their most vulnerable moments. “

He went on to say: “We thank the staff at Queen Medical Centre in Nottingham for showing the NHS at its best, and are very pleased to welcome the series back to St George’s.”

In addition to the comments about the show returning to London, Manjeet Shemar, Medical Director at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH), said: “We are so proud to have been the home to 24 Hours in A&E for so long, bringing the show into the heart of our Nottingham community and sharing the incredible stories of our staff and patients. “

Manjeet explained: “The series gives the public the chance to see what it is like working in a busy emergency department like QMC, the complexities of it and the kind of things that staff see and work on day in and day out. It really is quite remarkable. I am so thankful that the series came to QMC, and even more so to those colleagues who were involved.”

Manjeet went on to say: “We’re excited for our colleagues over at St George’s to have the series return to them, and hope that the series will make a return to QMC one day in the future too.”

The show was first broadcast in 2011 and filmed from King’s College Hospital before moving to St George’s in 2014. The decision to relocate the TV show to Nottingham came after the broadcaster announced it was moving its headquarters to the city.

Produced by The Garden, the Director of Factual, Spencer Kelly added: “The privilege of being invited to film the brilliant work of our NHS staff and the brave patients it cares for, never wears thin. We are extremely grateful to everyone at Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham for allowing us to tell their story over the past few years and delighted to be welcomed back to St George’s for this exciting new chapter.”

A broadcast date remains to be confirmed but Rita Daniels, who is the Commissioning Editor for the channel said: “We’re grateful to Nottingham University Hospitals for the powerful and moving stories we’ve been privileged to film during our time there and the compassion and resilience shown by staff and patients alike has made a lasting impact on the series.

“As 24 Hours in A&E returns to St George’s Hospital in London – at the heart of the UK’s most populated city – we look forward to continuing to tell the extraordinary stories that unfold every day in our NHS.”

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While capturing that perfect selfie while on vacation can be exhilarating, there’s one type of selfie that could land you in trouble — especially in a national park or nature reserve.

With summer in full swing across most parts of the world, millions of people are making travel plans to make the most of the sunshine. These days, national parks and nature reserves are emerging as a popular choice for wholesome getaways, providing holidaymakers a chance to immerse themselves in their surroundings and get up close and personal with the great outdoors.

While on holiday, people naturally tend to click pictures in order to preserve a special moment in time and even though capturing that perfect selfie on vacation can be exhilarating, there’s one type of selfie that could land you in trouble. It comes after a warning to Brit tourists planning all-inclusive holidays to Spain.

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Why a popular travel selfie could see you barred from a nature reserve

Taking the perfect selfie with wild animals might seem like a harmless holiday highlight — but experts are warning that it could lead to grave consequences. According to travel expert Naturetrek, snapping certain pictures in protected areas could disturb wildlife, violate conservation regulations, and even result in a permanent ban from reserves.

The selfie trend that’s raising eyebrows

Tourists in the UK and overseas are increasingly chasing “up-close” wildlife photos — particularly with seals, nesting birds, or rare species in national parks. Some even cross clearly marked boundaries or stray from designated paths to achieve that perfect shot.

But whilst the results might appear spectacular on Instagram, the effect on wildlife can be catastrophic. Naturetrek explains that constant human interference in delicate habitats can disrupt breeding, force animals to desert their offspring, and result in prolonged environmental distress.

A Naturetrek spokesperson shares: “One of the worst offenders we’ve seen is people trying to take selfies with seal pups or nesting seabirds. It only takes a few seconds of disturbance to frighten adult animals away – and that can have lasting consequences.”

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What the regulations state

Nature reserves across the UK and throughout Europe maintain stringent guidelines for public conduct – particularly during mating or breeding periods. These encompass remaining behind barriers, keeping noise levels down, and never feeding or getting close to wildlife.

Violating these regulations can result in immediate fines, ejection from the site, or prohibition from returning. Certain locations now additionally supervise visitors via drone surveillance or ranger monitoring. Perpetrators have been captured on film climbing fences or crouching beside animals to secure a “wildlife close-up”.

According to Naturetrek: “It’s not just about physical harm – even the sound of a phone shutter or a quick movement from a selfie stick can spook some species.”

Alternative options that are safe

Wildlife snappers and experienced tour guides suggest admiring animals from afar – utilising binoculars or long lenses for superior snaps. Numerous reserves provide guided strolls or hides, where guests can safely watch and photograph animals without danger. “If you want great wildlife photos, patience is key,” advises Naturetrek. “The best shots are often taken quietly, with respect, and without disturbing the natural behaviour of the animals.”

Respect nature, safeguard the experience

Naturetrek cautions that if current trends persist, more reserves may be compelled to limit access, tighten restrictions, or close certain areas entirely during peak seasons. The travel expert says: “We understand the desire to capture the moment – but if that moment harms nature, it’s not worth it. Our wild spaces need protection, and that means putting the camera down when needed.”

So, the next time you’re on a hike, boat trip, or coastal tour, think twice before you edge in for a selfie. Respect the distance, heed local advice, and savour the encounter without intrusion. You’ll protect wildlife – and your access to these stunning locations – for years to come.

Naturetrek adds: “At the heart of every memorable wildlife experience is respect. By choosing not to disturb, you become part of the solution — helping to preserve nature’s wonders for generations to come.”

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