Near Barnstaple test centre
Rated moderate from its real manoeuvre load, 9 roundabouts and 13 turns across 24 navigation steps.
This is an independent 78.2 km practice route near Barnstaple test centre, taking roughly 35 min to drive. It is NOT an official DVSA examiner route, the DVSA does not publish those, but it uses the same local roads and junction types an examiner is likely to choose.
Along the way you'll meet Portmore Roundabout, Lake Roundabout and Roundswell Roundabout. Knowing the approach, lane and exit at each one before you arrive is the difference between a planned manoeuvre and a last-second reaction, and last-second reactions are where avoidable faults come from.
On this route you’ll practise multiple roundabouts, dual-carriageway joins, national-speed roads, 20 mph zones, changing speed limits, residential manoeuvres, busy a-roads and sustained concentration. Driving it a few times before your test builds the muscle memory that frees up attention for observation and decision-making on the day.
The loop is anchored by 20 catalogued landmarks, including pubs, churches, named junctions and shops, so you can navigate it from recognisable features rather than a memorised turn list. Rehearsing it in this way means that on test day the area already feels familiar, and your attention is free for the traffic rather than the map.
Whatever the route, your practical test follows the same national shape: an eyesight check, a couple of vehicle-safety questions, around forty minutes of general driving, one reversing manoeuvre chosen by the examiner, and roughly twenty minutes of independent driving following signs or a sat-nav. Practising on roads like these is how you make each of those elements feel routine rather than new.
Treat this route as practice, not a script. The value is not in repeating one fixed sequence but in getting comfortable with the road types, speed changes and junction patterns of the area around Barnstaple test centre, so that whatever order your examiner chooses on the day, none of it is unfamiliar. Drive it a few times, focus on smooth observation and planning, and it becomes one more stretch of road you already know, which is exactly the kind of preparation that turns nerves into confidence.
If you are practising with a supervising driver rather than an instructor, take it steadily: agree the manoeuvre spots in advance, keep to a comfortable pace, and stop to talk through anything that felt rushed. And remember the basics that apply on every road, mirrors before any change of speed or direction, signals in good time, and a following distance that gives you room to react. Those habits travel with you long after the test is passed.
What you’ll actually do on this loop, counted from its turn-by-turn directions.
This route helps you practise:
Road mix
The full 243-step drive on real, named roads (about 78.3 km). An indicative practice loop, not an official DVSA route — the roads and junctions are real, the sequence is a rehearsal.
Drive northeast on Benning Court.
Benning Court23 m
Turn right onto Riverside Road.
Riverside Road324 m
Turn left onto Pilland Way.
Pilland Way293 m
Move right to stay on Pilland Way.
Pilland Way24 m
Move right onto Braunton Road/A361.
Braunton Road1.1 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Pilton Causeway/B3149.
2 m
Exit the roundabout onto Pilton Causeway/B3149.
Pilton Causeway51 m
Enter Mermaid Cross and take the 2nd exit onto A39.
Mermaid Cross34 m
Exit the roundabout onto A39.
A39488 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Alexandra Road/A39.
30 m
Exit the roundabout onto Alexandra Road/A39.
Alexandra Road154 m
Keep right to stay on Alexandra Road/A39.
Alexandra Road104 m
Keep right to stay on Alexandra Road/A39.
Alexandra Road258 m
Enter TA Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto A39.
TA Roundabout3 m
Exit the roundabout onto A39.
A39423 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Victoria Road.
33 m
Exit the roundabout onto Victoria Road.
Victoria Road41 m
Keep left to stay on Victoria Road.
Victoria Road51 m
Turn left onto Portmarsh Lane.
Portmarsh Lane138 m
Turn left onto Victoria Street.
Victoria Street104 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Victoria Road.
9 m
Exit the roundabout onto Victoria Road.
Victoria Road93 m
Turn left onto Portmarsh Lane.
Portmarsh Lane138 m
Turn left onto Victoria Street.
Victoria Street104 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Inner Relief Road/A39.
44 m
Exit the roundabout onto Inner Relief Road/A39.
Inner Relief Road135 m
Keep left to stay on A39.
A39266 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Eastern Avenue/A39.
18 m
Exit the roundabout onto Eastern Avenue/A39.
Eastern Avenue673 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 4th exit onto Eastern Avenue/A39.
62 m
Exit the roundabout onto Eastern Avenue/A39.
Eastern Avenue671 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Eastern Avenue/A39.
26 m
Exit the roundabout onto Eastern Avenue/A39. Continue on A39.
A39397 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A39.
35 m
Exit the roundabout onto A39.
A39416 m
Enter TA Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Alexandra Road/A39.
TA Roundabout30 m
Exit the roundabout onto Alexandra Road/A39.
Alexandra Road524 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A39.
21 m
Exit the roundabout onto A39.
A39489 m
Enter Mermaid Cross and take the 2nd exit onto Pilton Causeway/A39.
Mermaid Cross36 m
Exit the roundabout onto Pilton Causeway/A39. Continue on A39.
A39507 m
Keep right to take North Road/A39.
North Road154 m
Keep left to stay on North Road/A39.
North Road749 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Shirwell Road/A39.
38 m
Exit the roundabout onto Shirwell Road/A39.
Shirwell Road603 m
Move left onto B3230.
B32303.6 km
Keep right to stay on B3230.
B3230922 m
Turn left onto Whiddon Lane.
Whiddon Lane1.1 km
Turn left.
892 m
Keep right at the fork.
2.1 km
Move left onto Upcott Hill.
Upcott Hill1.2 km
Move right onto Poles Hill.
Poles Hill68 m
Move right onto Bradiford.
Bradiford684 m
Turn right onto Bull Hill.
Bull Hill45 m
Move left to stay on Bull Hill.
Bull Hill73 m
Turn right onto Pilton Street.
Pilton Street307 m
Turn left onto Pilton Quay.
Pilton Quay38 m
Turn right onto A39.
A39240 m
Enter Mermaid Cross and take the 1st exit onto A39.
Mermaid Cross3 m
Exit the roundabout onto A39.
A39488 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Alexandra Road/A39.
30 m
Exit the roundabout onto Alexandra Road/A39.
Alexandra Road518 m
Enter TA Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto A39.
TA Roundabout3 m
Exit the roundabout onto A39.
A39423 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Inner Relief Road/A39.
6 m
Exit the roundabout onto Inner Relief Road/A39. Continue on A39.
A39402 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Eastern Avenue/A39.
18 m
Exit the roundabout onto Eastern Avenue/A39.
Eastern Avenue672 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Eastern Avenue/A39.
27 m
Exit the roundabout onto Eastern Avenue/A39.
Eastern Avenue63 m
Keep left to stay on Eastern Avenue/A39.
Eastern Avenue117 m
Keep right to stay on Eastern Avenue/A39.
Eastern Avenue74 m
Enter Portmore Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A361.
Portmore Roundabout77 m
Exit the roundabout onto A361.
A361415 m
Keep left to stay on A361.
A361142 m
Keep left to stay on A361.
A361139 m
Keep left to stay on A361.
A361251 m
Keep left to stay on A361.
A361125 m
Keep left to stay on A361.
A361111 m
Keep left to stay on A361.
A361284 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A361.
48 m
Exit the roundabout onto A361.
A361728 m
Enter Lake Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Lake Roundabout103 m
Exit the roundabout onto Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass625 m
Keep right to stay on Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass109 m
Keep right to stay on Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass117 m
Keep right to stay on Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass102 m
Keep left to stay on Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass362 m
Keep right to stay on Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass127 m
Enter Sticklepath Junction and take the 2nd exit onto Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Sticklepath Junction52 m
Exit the roundabout onto Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass1.2 km
Turn left onto Braunton Road/A361.
Braunton Road1.1 km
Make a right U-turn to stay on Braunton Road/A361.
Braunton Road1.1 km
Turn right onto Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass203 m
Keep right to stay on Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass855 m
Keep right to stay on Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass194 m
Enter Sticklepath Junction and take the 2nd exit onto Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Sticklepath Junction47 m
Exit the roundabout onto Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass1.2 km
Keep left to stay on Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass230 m
Enter Lake Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto A361.
Lake Roundabout9 m
Exit the roundabout onto A361.
A361736 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto A377/Bishop's Tawton Road.
72 m
Exit the roundabout onto A377/Bishop's Tawton Road.
A377736 m
Turn left.
46 m
Turn right onto A377/Bishop's Tawton Road.
A377766 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Bishop's Tawton Road/B3138.
44 m
Exit the roundabout onto Bishop's Tawton Road/B3138.
Bishop's Tawton Road67 m
Keep left to stay on Bishop's Tawton Road/B3138.
Bishop's Tawton Road120 m
Turn right onto Chichester Road.
Chichester Road21 m
Turn right to stay on Chichester Road.
Chichester Road105 m
Move left onto Style Close.
Style Close40 m
Turn left onto Chichester Close.
Chichester Close101 m
Make a right U-turn to stay on Chichester Close.
Chichester Close101 m
Turn left onto Style Close.
Style Close293 m
Turn left onto Rumsam Road.
Rumsam Road246 m
Keep right to stay on Rumsam Road.
Rumsam Road99 m
Turn left onto Fortescue Road.
Fortescue Road114 m
Turn left onto Bishop's Tawton Road/B3138.
Bishop's Tawton Road408 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto A361.
74 m
Exit the roundabout onto A361.
A361728 m
Enter Lake Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto A361.
Lake Roundabout146 m
Exit the roundabout onto A361.
A361736 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Bishop's Tawton Road/B3138.
21 m
Exit the roundabout onto Bishop's Tawton Road/B3138.
Bishop's Tawton Road407 m
Turn right onto Fortescue Road.
Fortescue Road114 m
Turn left onto Orchard Terrace.
Orchard Terrace92 m
Turn left onto Bishop's Tawton Road/B3138.
Bishop's Tawton Road531 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A377/Bishop's Tawton Road.
51 m
Exit the roundabout onto A377/Bishop's Tawton Road.
A377736 m
Turn left.
46 m
Turn right onto A377/Bishop's Tawton Road.
A377767 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto A361.
23 m
Exit the roundabout onto A361.
A361728 m
Enter Lake Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Lake Roundabout103 m
Exit the roundabout onto Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass625 m
Keep right to stay on Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass109 m
Keep right to stay on Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass117 m
Keep right to stay on Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass102 m
Keep left to stay on Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass362 m
Keep right to stay on Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass127 m
Enter Sticklepath Junction and take the 2nd exit onto Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Sticklepath Junction52 m
Exit the roundabout onto Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass1.2 km
Turn left onto Braunton Road/A361.
Braunton Road1.1 km
Make a right U-turn to stay on Braunton Road/A361.
Braunton Road1.1 km
Turn right onto Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass203 m
Keep right to stay on Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass855 m
Keep right to stay on Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass194 m
Enter Sticklepath Junction and take the 2nd exit onto Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Sticklepath Junction47 m
Exit the roundabout onto Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass1.2 km
Keep left to stay on Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass230 m
Enter Lake Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A39/Atlantic Highway.
Lake Roundabout96 m
Exit the roundabout onto A39/Atlantic Highway.
A3923 m
Keep right to stay on A39/Atlantic Highway.
A391.6 km
Enter Roundswell Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto B3232.
Roundswell Roundabout8 m
Exit the roundabout onto B3232.
B323285 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto B3232.
19 m
Exit the roundabout onto B3232.
B32321.8 km
Keep left to stay on B3232.
B3232221 m
Keep right to stay on B3232.
B32322.2 km
Keep right to take Belladown Hill/B3232.
Belladown Hill114 m
Turn right.
139 m
Keep right at the fork.
140 m
Keep right at the fork.
103 m
Keep left at the fork.
293 m
Turn right.
102 m
Keep left at the fork.
109 m
Keep right at the fork.
130 m
Keep left at the fork.
152 m
Keep right at the fork.
166 m
Move right onto Rooty Cross.
Rooty Cross966 m
Turn left onto B3232.
B3232950 m
Keep right to stay on B3232.
B3232123 m
Keep left to stay on B3232.
B3232414 m
Keep right to stay on B3232.
B32321.0 km
Keep right to stay on B3232.
B3232467 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto B3232.
19 m
Exit the roundabout onto B3232.
B323279 m
Enter Roundswell Roundabout and take the 4th exit onto A39/Atlantic Highway.
Roundswell Roundabout119 m
Exit the roundabout onto A39/Atlantic Highway.
A391.5 km
Move left.
261 m
Move left onto Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass364 m
Keep right to stay on Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass253 m
Keep right to stay on Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass117 m
Keep right to stay on Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass102 m
Keep left to stay on Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass362 m
Keep right to stay on Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass127 m
Enter Sticklepath Junction and take the 3rd exit onto A3125.
Sticklepath Junction116 m
Exit the roundabout onto A3125.
A3125345 m
Enter Longbridge Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Sticklepath Terrace/A3125.
Longbridge Roundabout8 m
Exit the roundabout onto Sticklepath Terrace/A3125. Continue on A3125.
A3125157 m
Keep left to stay on A3125.
A3125375 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A3125.
20 m
Exit the roundabout onto A3125.
A312590 m
Enter TA Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Alexandra Road/A39.
TA Roundabout2 m
Exit the roundabout onto Alexandra Road/A39.
Alexandra Road388 m
Keep right to stay on Alexandra Road/A39.
Alexandra Road135 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Vicarage Street.
5 m
Exit the roundabout onto Vicarage Street.
Vicarage Street178 m
Keep left to stay on Vicarage Street.
Vicarage Street103 m
Turn left onto Boutport Street.
Boutport Street93 m
Turn left onto Bear Street.
Bear Street250 m
Keep right to stay on Bear Street.
Bear Street14 m
Turn left onto Alexandra Road/A39.
Alexandra Road104 m
Keep right to stay on Alexandra Road/A39.
Alexandra Road135 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A39.
21 m
Exit the roundabout onto A39.
A39489 m
Enter Mermaid Cross and take the 2nd exit onto Pilton Causeway/A39.
Mermaid Cross36 m
Exit the roundabout onto Pilton Causeway/A39. Continue on A39.
A39240 m
Turn left onto Pilton Quay.
Pilton Quay38 m
Turn right onto Pilton Street.
Pilton Street307 m
Turn left onto Bull Hill.
Bull Hill73 m
Move right to stay on Bull Hill.
Bull Hill45 m
Turn left onto Under Minnow Road.
Under Minnow Road548 m
Turn left onto Meadow Road.
Meadow Road55 m
Keep straight to stay on Meadow Road.
Meadow Road
Keep straight to stay on Meadow Road.
Meadow Road56 m
Make a right U-turn to stay on Meadow Road.
Meadow Road112 m
Turn right onto Bradiford.
Bradiford187 m
Turn right onto Chaddiford Lane.
Chaddiford Lane640 m
Turn left onto Braunton Road/A361.
Braunton Road188 m
Make a right U-turn to stay on Braunton Road/A361.
Braunton Road1.0 km
Make a right U-turn to stay on Braunton Road.
Braunton Road2.0 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Pilton Causeway/B3149.
2 m
Exit the roundabout onto Pilton Causeway/B3149.
Pilton Causeway51 m
Enter Mermaid Cross and take the 2nd exit onto A39.
Mermaid Cross34 m
Exit the roundabout onto A39.
A39488 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Alexandra Road/A39.
30 m
Exit the roundabout onto Alexandra Road/A39.
Alexandra Road154 m
Keep right to stay on Alexandra Road/A39.
Alexandra Road104 m
Keep right to stay on Alexandra Road/A39.
Alexandra Road258 m
Enter TA Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto A39.
TA Roundabout3 m
Exit the roundabout onto A39.
A39423 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Inner Relief Road/A39.
6 m
Exit the roundabout onto Inner Relief Road/A39.
Inner Relief Road402 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Eastern Avenue/A39.
18 m
Exit the roundabout onto Eastern Avenue/A39.
Eastern Avenue672 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 4th exit onto Eastern Avenue/A39.
62 m
Exit the roundabout onto Eastern Avenue/A39.
Eastern Avenue671 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Eastern Avenue/A39.
26 m
Exit the roundabout onto Eastern Avenue/A39. Continue on A39.
A39397 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Victoria Road.
17 m
Exit the roundabout onto Victoria Road.
Victoria Road36 m
You have arrived at your destination.
Directions for the Barnstaple · Route 1 loop. Always drive to the road and conditions you see, not the list — signs, signals and other traffic take priority.
These are the real named features along the loop, straight from our route catalogue. Use them to recognise where you are and to anticipate the hazard each one brings, not to memorise a fixed order.
Decide your lane and exit on the approach to each of these, get set up early.
Expect busier traffic, pick-ups and pedestrians around these.
Watch for 20 mph zones, crossings and children near these.
Useful navigation anchors on the loop.
Easy landmarks to navigate the loop by.
Frequent stop-start traffic and pedestrians, keep your speed down.
Multiple roundabouts
Watch your lane discipline and signalling at Portmore Roundabout, Lake Roundabout, Roundswell Roundabout. Get into the correct lane early and check your exit mirror before leaving.
Dual-carriageway join
About 12.0 km of this loop is dual carriageway. Build your speed on the slip road, take an effective rearward observation, and merge without forcing other traffic to brake.
Changing speed limits
Limits change across this route (20, 30, 40, 50, 60 mph). Watch for repeater signs and adjust early, examiners mark you down for carrying the wrong speed into a new limit.
Residential streets
Narrow residential roads mean parked cars, pedestrians and reduced visibility. Cover the brake, keep your speed down and be ready to give way.
Navigate by these 20 catalogued landmarks rather than a memorised turn list, an indicative loop, not an official DVSA route.
Flukey's Bar
Start near Flukey's Bar.
Salvation Army
Continue to Salvation Army.
Bull & Bear
Continue to Bull & Bear.
Grosvenor Church
Continue to Grosvenor Church.
Barnstaple Fire Station
Continue to Barnstaple Fire Station.
Muddiford Inn
Continue to Muddiford Inn.
Muddiford United Reformed Church
Continue to Muddiford United Reformed Church.
Barum Brewery
Continue to Barum Brewery.
St Mary the Virgin
Continue to St Mary the Virgin.
Portmore Roundabout
Continue to Portmore Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
UK Storage Company
Continue to UK Storage Company.
Burger King
Continue to Burger King.
Carpet Mill
Continue to Carpet Mill.
Lake Roundabout
Continue to Lake Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
Horwood and Newton Tracey Community Primary School
Continue to Horwood and Newton Tracey Community Primary School.
Roundswell Roundabout
Continue to Roundswell Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
Barnstaple Bus Station
Continue to Barnstaple Bus Station.
Southgate
Continue to Southgate.
Corner House
Continue to Corner House.
Royal Exchange
Finish back near Royal Exchange, completing the loop.
7 roundabouts · 19 turns · 2 sets of lights
12 roundabouts · 13 turns · 7 sets of lights
11 roundabouts · 11 turns · 1 set of lights
5 roundabouts · 15 turns · 5 sets of lights
This route is 78.2 km and takes about 35 min to drive at a steady learner pace. It is an independent practice loop near Barnstaple test centre, not an official DVSA route.