We're not new to Britain and Ireland - have seen most of the major sites on previous trips - but will be taking my grandson on the next trip and am working on a three week itinerary that will make everyone happy. We will be spending one week in Britain and two in Ireland. We will be using trains in Britain and have a car in Ireland. Any places, events, experiences you think we should include? Thanks so much!
Longleat House in England is pretty cool for a 5 year old, they have a safari drive thru, bird show, and numerous other attractions. Would go mid week and arrive early.
Is the grandson from the Central Valley as well? Animal lover? A number of petting zoos in Ireland. http://www.fundays.ie/categories.asp?type=Outdoor If London is included; 7 floors of Hamleys ,The Eye, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Horse Guards, watching the model yachts sailing on the Serpentine in Hyde Park. I'd also check the Kite Society website to see if a kite festival was planned when you were Britain. Alton Towers maybe, 5 might be too young. This link might help depending on where you were traveling in the UK.
http://www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/