Don't miss: Tropical Extravaganza

Orchids will be on display at the Tropical Extravaganza festival. Photo / Andrew McRobb

February 5-March 6, Kew Gardens, Surrey, UK

To mark the United Nations' International Year of Forests, the Royal Botanic Gardens will hold a Tropical Extravaganza celebrating the importance of tropical rainforests.

There will be orchid and tropical flower displays in Kew's Princess of Wales Conservatory, where sound recordings and sculptures of birds will enhance the exotic atmosphere.

The central display in the pond area will represent a flooded rainforest, while in the north end of the conservatory the threat to rainforests will be illustrated by a "scorched" forest, complete with the sound of trees being cut down and animals moving away.

Kew Gardens are open daily from 9am.

For more information see kew.org.