Bob, a good 1st trip is Portsmouth - Cherbourg.
A nice bimble off the ferry south to St Mere Eglise (still got a parachutist hanging from the chrch in the town square, must be a dummy!
) & pretty town to wander through.
Plenty of nice cheap accomodation in St Lo further down the road (only about 100k from the ferry in total) - with good roads to rideout to the Normandy beaches, see the huge memorials, also not far to Bayeux (of the tapestry fame). Great local eateries.
Where ever you go - have a good time
C