Is it just caravanners or do motorhomers do it too

I would say that more caravanners than motorhomes cross the Channel.  We live in North Yorkshire, so further north than you, and we have done France with the caravan for just one week.  Nowadays we go for considerably longer and have started to store the caravan in France because we think caravanning is so much better over there!  I would say if you have two weeks then that's long enough to visit many parts of France.  Before we stored in France we used to drive down after an early finish at work on a Friday, and get a late night ferry - then stay on the Aire de la Baie de Somme (motorway services with a dedicated caravan parking area and shower facilities - and free) for our first night.  We then used to set off on Saturday morning, already in France, and go wherever the weather was best.

You can get a ferry crossing on one of the short Channel crossings for about £150 - £200 return, or use Tesco vouchers towards the cost of a Eurotunnel crossing.  Longer crossings from Hull, Portsmouth or Plymouth are more expensive.  Occasionally there are special offers, and you will often find that booking through the Caravan Club brings down the cost of your ferry, particularly if you buy Camping Cheques, or a few nights on sites.  

There are lots of places you can stop for an overnight stop if you are heading south, or you can stay in the more northern parts, and perhaps tour along the Normandy coast.  If you can go outside peak season - that is outside the period from the middle of July to the middle of August - then you don't need to book, and can tour about as you please, staying as long, or as little as you want.  You can use an ACSI Card (www.campingcard.co.uk) or Camping Cheques (www.campingtravelclub.cm) to obtain discounts on campsites in the scheme.

Roads are generally more caravan-friendly, and there are picnic stopping areas on many of the main routes, and always on the autoroutes.  Some autoroutes are toll - and these can mount up, but if you want to get somewhere quickly than they are no doubt the best way to travel.  

Do it - like most of us who visit France, you will probably be back for many more years.  We started French holidays thirty-seven years ago, and have been back every year since, sometimes several times in a year.

Before retirement, we often took our caravan over to France on a  short break deal for 5 nights. Likewise, we often had a week in Normandy when we were tied to half term breaks when our daughter was at school.

2 weeks is quite enough time to have a decent break. Once, because we couldn't face a winter without a last dash southwards, we went down to the Nimes area for just  that time. Admittedly we were travelling with a tent, and stayed overnight in the likes of Campanile hotels, but we were towing all our stuff in a trailer. We allowed for 3 nights getting there (we live a fair distance from the channel ports) 8 nights on site and 3 nights getting home. Super trip.

Another time, taking advantage of a good offer from one of the camping holiday companies, we took a 10 day holiday in the Ardèche area. OK, so not towing anything, and we had to add on a few nights for the travel, but it was still worth it.

Motorhomers, caravanners, tenters, rent-a-tenters, we all do it.

Although we now have a motorhome we went to France with a caravan for many years with no trouble - driving in France is much easier then here.  I can't add to all the good advice above except to say that if you use Tesco vouchers you can get 3 times their face value off the cost of a eurotunnel crossing.  We've actually crossed for nothing on two occasions but have also used the vouchers as part payment for many trips.

We always used to take the caravan for two weeks and leave work Friday to get a late ferry from Dover (you live further away though). We have been as far as Florence with the children. 

The French Autoroutes are fantastic for caravans with many "Aires" and excellent facilities. For first time I would always recommend using the Autoroutes where possible but go "off piste" as you become more familiar with the country. 

I have just checked a Direct Ferries' price against a CMC price for a Dover/Calais that I am considering and CMC is £19 cheaper.

Coming down to Dover from Skye where we live is the boring bit!! So we plan stops along our route and take 3 days to get there visiting friends and relation. From South Yorkshire your nearly there. Dover in 6hrs!!. perhaps 2 may be 3 weeks to do the place justice. Not long to you retirement so practice makes perfect! Once in France you can get along way down in a day even with a caravan and yes you will meet lots of Brits with their caravans and motor homes on rest areas. A good place to get 'intel' on different places traffic problems. You will find there are ways around the French auto route systems so a bit of cost cutting is available. Get some good maps or an up to date satnav system (better to have both).

Just go as far as you like within your allotted time. If you go out of season don't bother booking turn up and sample a site for a night if you like it then stay for a bit. 

Hope that helps

This morning the Direct Ferries page was still open, so refreshing it has increased the price for the same date/time to £120!!!!!

Just out of interest, I checked out Forces Travel for a random date on the Portsmouth-Bilbao route.  (According to their website they are just an ordinary travel agent now, and anyone can book).

The site was easy to use, and mirrored Brittany Ferries own site. Fare quoted was about 5% less than booking direct with Brittany, in this case a saving of about £25 one-way.

I will certainly consider them next time for the outward journey, but as I never know in advance when I will want to return I prefer the ease and certainty of booking/altering direct with Brittany from abroad.

Details here: Tesco Eurotunnel