Originally Posted by peterh337
The UK works things differently from the rest of Europe, in that it has no "exit" Customs, and there are various concessions which are worked via the GAR form system. For example you can (IIRC) fly internationally to/from any farm strip, with appropriate (24hr??) notice.
To the EU, no notice (apart from time for the FPL to get into the system) is required FROM a farm strip.
From an EU airfield TO a Farm strip, the notice period is 4 hours.
The exception to the above is if to/from Eire or Northern Ireland, which although in the EU are subject to the Terrorism Act and hence 12 hours notice (NB NOT "permission") is required to Special Branch in both directions.
Back to OP: Going to France - consider Saumur. Customs stop required first, though.