Near Barnstaple test centre
Rated challenging from its real manoeuvre load, 11 roundabouts, 11 turns and 1 signalled junction across 25 navigation steps.
This is an independent 53.9 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 Landkey Roundabout, Portmore Roundabout, TA 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, shops and named junctions, 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 197-step drive on real, named roads (about 53.8 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 right onto Victoria Street.
Victoria Street53 m
Turn right to stay on Victoria Street.
Victoria Street292 m
Turn right onto Newport Road.
Newport Road136 m
Turn left onto Rock Avenue.
Rock Avenue111 m
Turn right onto Allen Bank.
Allen Bank55 m
Turn left onto Park Lane.
Park Lane104 m
Keep left to stay on Park Lane.
Park Lane134 m
Keep right to stay on Park Lane.
Park Lane67 m
Turn left onto South Street/B3138.
South Street183 m
Turn right onto Landkey Road.
Landkey Road2.8 km
Keep left to stay on Landkey Road.
Landkey Road103 m
Turn left onto Blakes Hill Road.
Blakes Hill Road249 m
Enter Landkey Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto A361/North Devon Link Road.
Landkey Roundabout13 m
Exit the roundabout onto A361/North Devon Link Road.
A3611.7 km
Enter Portmore Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Eastern Avenue/A39.
Portmore Roundabout65 m
Exit the roundabout onto Eastern Avenue/A39.
Eastern Avenue256 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Eastern Avenue/A39.
22 m
Exit the roundabout onto Eastern Avenue/A39.
Eastern Avenue672 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 1st exit onto Vicarage Street.
5 m
Exit the roundabout onto Vicarage Street.
Vicarage Street282 m
Turn left onto Boutport Street.
Boutport Street93 m
Turn left onto Bear Street.
Bear Street265 m
Turn right onto Alexandra Road/A39.
Alexandra Road22 m
Keep right to stay on Alexandra Road/A39.
Alexandra Road258 m
Enter TA Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A3125.
TA Roundabout34 m
Exit the roundabout onto A3125.
A312599 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto A3125.
4 m
Exit the roundabout onto A3125.
A3125375 m
Keep right to stay on A3125.
A3125160 m
Enter Longbridge Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto A3125.
Longbridge Roundabout32 m
Exit the roundabout onto A3125.
A3125321 m
Enter Sticklepath Junction and take the 1st exit onto Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Sticklepath Junction2 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.
279 m
Keep right at the fork.
103 m
Keep left at the fork.
294 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.
B3232951 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.
B3232258 m
Keep right to stay on B3232.
B3232209 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.
625 m
Keep right to stay on Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass144 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.
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 1st exit onto Pilton Causeway/A39.
Mermaid Cross18 m
Exit the roundabout onto Pilton Causeway/A39.
Pilton Causeway37 m
Keep left to stay on A39.
A39203 m
Turn left onto Pilton Quay.
Pilton Quay471 m
Turn right onto Braunton Road/B3149.
Braunton Road527 m
Turn left onto Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass1.1 km
Keep right to stay on Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass194 m
Enter Sticklepath Junction and take the 3rd exit onto A3125.
Sticklepath Junction114 m
Exit the roundabout onto A3125.
A312553 m
Keep right to stay on A3125.
A31251.4 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit.
44 m
Exit the roundabout onto Bickington Road/B3233.
Bickington Road868 m
Turn left onto Tews Lane.
Tews Lane33 m
Keep left to stay on Tews Lane.
Tews Lane198 m
Turn left onto Lyddicleave.
Lyddicleave49 m
Keep left to stay on Lyddicleave.
Lyddicleave111 m
Keep left to stay on Lyddicleave.
Lyddicleave444 m
Turn right onto Bickington Road/B3233.
Bickington Road286 m
Turn left onto Ellerslie Road.
Ellerslie Road276 m
Turn right to stay on Ellerslie Road.
Ellerslie Road109 m
Make a right U-turn to stay on Ellerslie Road.
Ellerslie Road109 m
Turn left to stay on Ellerslie Road.
Ellerslie Road31 m
Turn right onto Oakland Park South.
Oakland Park South182 m
Turn right to stay on Oakland Park South.
Oakland Park South289 m
Turn right to stay on Oakland Park South.
Oakland Park South121 m
Turn right onto Lynhurst Avenue.
Lynhurst Avenue111 m
Keep left to stay on Lynhurst Avenue.
Lynhurst Avenue290 m
Keep left to stay on Lynhurst Avenue.
Lynhurst Avenue175 m
Turn right onto Oakland Avenue.
Oakland Avenue115 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Chestwood Avenue.
7 m
Exit the roundabout onto Chestwood Avenue.
Chestwood Avenue59 m
Turn left onto Chestwood Close.
Chestwood Close72 m
Make a right U-turn to stay on Chestwood Close.
Chestwood Close72 m
Turn right onto Chestwood Avenue.
Chestwood Avenue59 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Oakland Avenue.
6 m
Exit the roundabout onto Oakland Avenue.
Oakland Avenue98 m
Turn right onto Bickington Road/A3125.
Bickington Road100 m
Keep left to stay on Bickington Road/A3125.
Bickington Road394 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Bickington Road/B3233.
44 m
Exit the roundabout onto Bickington Road/B3233.
Bickington Road868 m
Turn left onto Tews Lane.
Tews Lane232 m
Turn left onto Lyddicleave.
Lyddicleave109 m
Keep left to stay on Lyddicleave.
Lyddicleave465 m
Keep right to take Hopperstyle.
Hopperstyle30 m
Turn right onto Bickington Road/B3233.
Bickington Road440 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Bickington Road/A3125.
36 m
Exit the roundabout onto Bickington Road/A3125.
Bickington Road422 m
Keep right to stay on A3125.
A3125663 m
Keep right to take Sticklepath Hill/A3125.
Sticklepath Hill111 m
Turn right to stay on Sticklepath Hill.
Sticklepath Hill280 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Sticklepath Hill.
59 m
Exit the roundabout onto Sticklepath Hill.
Sticklepath Hill280 m
Turn right onto A3125.
A3125222 m
Enter Sticklepath Junction and take the 1st exit onto Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Sticklepath Junction3 m
Exit the roundabout onto Barnstaple Western Bypass/A361.
Barnstaple Western Bypass1.2 km
Turn left onto Braunton Road/A361.
Braunton Road286 m
Keep right to take Chaddiford Lane.
Chaddiford Lane43 m
Turn right to stay on Chaddiford Lane.
Chaddiford Lane669 m
Turn left onto Bradiford.
Bradiford186 m
Turn left onto Meadow Road.
Meadow Road55 m
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.
Bradiford549 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 Road517 m
Enter TA Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A3125.
TA Roundabout34 m
Exit the roundabout onto A3125.
A312599 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Queen Street.
16 m
Exit the roundabout onto Queen Street.
Queen Street18 m
Turn right onto Buller Road.
Buller Road79 m
Turn right onto Bedford Street.
Bedford Street40 m
Make a right U-turn to stay on Bedford Street.
Bedford Street40 m
Turn left onto Buller Road.
Buller Road79 m
Turn left onto Queen Street.
Queen Street20 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto A3125.
5 m
Exit the roundabout onto A3125.
A312590 m
Enter TA Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto A3125.
TA Roundabout52 m
Exit the roundabout onto A3125.
A312537 m
Move left.
29 m
Turn left onto Summerland Street.
Summerland Street129 m
Move left onto Barbican Road.
Barbican Road68 m
Turn right onto Barbican Close.
Barbican Close115 m
Turn left to stay on Barbican Close.
Barbican Close8 m
Turn right.
113 m
Turn left onto Victoria Road.
Victoria Road161 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Victoria Road.
51 m
Exit the roundabout onto Victoria Road.
Victoria Road93 m
Turn left onto Portmarsh Lane.
Portmarsh Lane83 m
You have arrived at your destination.
Directions for the Barnstaple · Route 10 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 Landkey Roundabout, Portmore Roundabout, TA Roundabout. Get into the correct lane early and check your exit mirror before leaving.
Dual-carriageway join
About 5.1 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.
Rolle Quay Inn
Start near Rolle Quay Inn.
Salvation Army
Continue to Salvation Army.
St John The Baptist
Continue to St John The Baptist.
Jon Beer Auto Services
Continue to Jon Beer Auto Services.
Landkey Roundabout
Continue to Landkey Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
Portmore Roundabout
Continue to Portmore Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
Grosvenor Church
Continue to Grosvenor Church.
TA Roundabout
Continue to TA Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
Barnstaple Bus Station
Continue to Barnstaple Bus Station.
Corner House
Continue to Corner House.
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.
Burger King
Continue to Burger King.
Carpet Mill
Continue to Carpet Mill.
United Reform Church
Continue to United Reform Church.
Windsor Arms
Continue to Windsor Arms.
Chichester Arms
Continue to Chichester Arms.
St Mary the Virgin
Continue to St Mary the Virgin.
Home Pine
Finish back near Home Pine, completing the loop.
7 roundabouts · 19 turns · 2 sets of lights
9 roundabouts · 13 turns
12 roundabouts · 13 turns · 7 sets of lights
5 roundabouts · 15 turns · 5 sets of lights
This route is 53.9 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.