Wake refreshed and, around 10:00, enjoy a hearty English breakfast at The Crown Inn in the village before setting off; their full fry and takeaway coffee will set you up for the drive to Folkestone. Pop into Hawkhurst Village Stores & Post Office for any last-minute travel essentials and snacks for the Eurotunnel, then take a short scenic detour along the A21 to stretch your legs at Bedgebury National Pinetum-great for a brisk walk among pines and a final photo of your classic car before crossing to France.
After a leisurely morning, take a short drive to Goudhurst Village to admire its honey-coloured houses and find a sheltered spot to polish and photograph your classic car near the village green; pop into The Bell Inn for a light lunch or a coffee in their sunny courtyard. Later, enjoy a gentle riverside stroll along the River Bewl (nearby Bewl Water country park) to stretch your legs, pick up any forgotten travel supplies at Goudhurst Stores, and return early to prepare for your Eurotunnel departure the next day.
As twilight falls, enjoy a relaxed pre-trip supper at The George & Dragon in nearby Cranbrook, where seasonal Kentish dishes and a good local ale make for a comforting, unfussy meal. Afterwards take a short evening drive to the peaceful lane by Sissinghurst Castle Garden (just for a quiet walk around the outer gardens and to admire the estate in soft light) before returning to Hawkhurst to check your paperwork and kit for tomorrow's Eurotunnel crossing.
Leave Hawkhurst after your 10:00 departure and drive to Folkestone Eurotunnel Terminal, aiming for an off-peak, discounted shuttle booking to cross into Calais; once through, enjoy a scenic drive along the Autoroute A16/A28 and stop for a late morning coffee and croissant at Aire de la Baie de Somme - a handy rest area with roomy parking for your classic car. Continue toward Bayeux and arrive in time to take a relaxed walk around the medieval streets before checking into a budget-friendly, secure-parking hotel such as Hotel Le Bayeux where you can freshen up in a modern en-suite room and sample a simple Normandy platter in their dining area.
After checking in and freshening up, take a short drive to the picturesque seaside village of Port-en-Bessin to wander the harbour, watch the fishing boats and sample fresh oysters at Les Viviers du Port for a light seaside snack. Later, head to the nearby chalk cliffs above Pointe du Hoc for a moving late-afternoon walk among dramatic views and preserved WWII bunkers, before returning to your hotel to relax and enjoy a relaxed dinner in town.
After freshening up, take a short drive to the atmospheric old port of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue to stroll its tidal quay and admire traditional fishing boats while sampling a glass of local cidre at Le Commerce, a friendly bistro with terrace seating. Later, head back toward Bayeux for a peaceful evening visit to the candlelit nave of Bayeux Cathedral, then enjoy a neighbourhood meal at La Rapière-a reasonably priced restaurant known for classic Normandy dishes and secure evening parking nearby for your classic car.
Set off early to savour the coastline: begin with a contemplative walk along Omaha Beach, pausing at the Omaha Beach Memorial to read personal accounts and view restored landing craft, then drive to Colleville-sur-Mer American Cemetery to witness the rows of white crosses and the peaceful clifftop panorama. Afterward, roll your classic car into the small museum at [La Maison du Débarquement (Arromanches 360)](https://www.google.com/search?q=La+Maison+du+D%C3%A9barquement+%28Arromanches+360%29+I+want+an+itinerary+for+a+road+trip+in+France.%0AI+will+spend+a+night+in+Hawkhurst+in+Kent+on+16th+April+2026+from+where+I%27d+start+off+after+a+night%27s+rest+at+about+10.00am.%0AI+would+want+to+get+a+Euro-tunnel+crossing+that+was+preferably+discounted+before+driving+into+Normandy.%0AMy+trip+would+ideally+include+three+nights+in+France+near+to+the+Normandy+beaches+and+staying+in+hotels+that+are+very+clean%2C+with+modern+rooms+with+en-suites%2C+%0Agood+food+and+secure+parking+for+a+classic+car.%0AIdeally%2C+the+hotels+should+be+not+too+expensive.%0AI+would+like+to+return+via+the+Euro-tunnel+by+midday+of+the+third+day+in+France+before+driving+home.%0A+official+site) for a short film and interactive exhibits about Mulberry Harbour before taking coffee and a tartine at Le Bistrot d'Arromanches on the sea front.
Drive the classic car along the scenic coastal road to Arromanches-les-Bains and visit the seaside museum's remaining Mulberry Harbour sections before enjoying a light lunch of moules-frites at Le Grand Large with harbour views. In the afternoon take a reflective tour of the preserved German bunkers at Longues-sur-Mer Battery, climb the observation platforms for sea-and-cliff panoramas, then finish with a leisurely stroll through the quaint lanes of Sainte-Mère-Église to browse its wartime exhibits and pick up local calvados or camembert to enjoy back at your hotel.
As dusk falls, take a short drive to the clifftop hamlet of Luc-sur-Mer for a shoreline walk and to watch the sunset over the Channel, then enjoy a seafood-focused dinner at Le Bistrot des Marins, known for fresh local fish and a friendly, informal atmosphere. After dinner, return toward Bayeux for a relaxed evening at Le Salon de Thé du Centre, sampling a regional calvados or hot chocolate while people-watching from the terrace, then stroll past the softly lit timbered houses back to your hotel for a restful night and secure parking for your classic car.
Leave your hotel early for a brisk coastal loop, starting with a sunrise stroll along Langrune-sur-Mer beach to admire the early light on the sand and take final photos of your classic car on the promenade; pop into La Maison du Poisson for a quick espresso and a freshly baked pain au chocolat to go. Next, head inland for a short visit to the atmospheric Château de Fontaine-Henry - its compact, well-preserved rooms and manicured grounds offer a peaceful half-hour detour and easy parking for your classic car before you set off toward the Eurotunnel, allowing time to refuel and arrive at the terminal comfortably before midday.
After checking out, take a gentle inland loop before your Eurotunnel departure: drive to Cresserons for a calm riverside walk along the Mue and enjoy a late-morning coffee and Normandy apple tart at the village café La Petite Forge while your classic car rests in secure street parking. If time allows, detour through the charming market town of Creully to admire its hilltop Château de Creully from the outside and pick up a sandwich or picnic from Boulangerie Pichard to eat en route to the Folkestone-bound terminal, leaving ample time to refuel and reach the Eurotunnel comfortably before midday.
Wind down your Normandy stay with a slow, scenic drive to Bénouville Locks (Pegasus Bridge) for a twilight visit to the moving museum and its preserved wartime bridge, then continue to Le Port de Ouistreham to watch the last ferries of the day from the promenade while you sip a glass of local cidre. Finish with an easy, early dinner of tartine and seafood at Le Bellerive overlooking the water, returning to your hotel to collect luggage and set off for the Eurotunnel with time to spare.