Near Barnstaple test centre
Rated challenging from its real manoeuvre load, 7 roundabouts, 19 turns and 2 signalled junctions across 29 navigation steps.
This is an independent 96.4 km practice route near Barnstaple test centre, taking roughly 40 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 Lake Roundabout, Roundswell Roundabout, Landkey Roundabout, Portmore Roundabout and Chivenor Cross. 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, 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 stations, pubs, churches 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 267-step drive on real, named roads (about 96.4 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 Road164 m
Turn right.
15 m
Keep right at the fork.
97 m
Turn left onto Barbican Close.
Barbican Close8 m
Turn right to stay on Barbican Close.
Barbican Close115 m
Turn left onto Barbican Road.
Barbican Road68 m
Move right onto Summerland Street.
Summerland Street164 m
Move left onto A3125.
A312523 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto A3125.
32 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 Road524 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 4th exit onto Derby Road.
54 m
Exit the roundabout onto Derby Road.
Derby Road339 m
Keep right to stay on Derby Road.
Derby Road302 m
Keep left to stay on Derby Road.
Derby Road479 m
Make a right U-turn to stay on Derby Road.
Derby Road517 m
Turn right onto Frankmarsh Road.
Frankmarsh Road137 m
Move left onto Lethaby Road.
Lethaby Road333 m
Turn left onto St George's Road.
St George's Road107 m
Turn left onto Derby Road.
Derby Road60 m
Keep right to stay on Derby Road.
Derby Road302 m
Keep right to take Gorwell Road.
Gorwell Road659 m
Turn left onto Goodleigh Road.
Goodleigh Road237 m
Turn right onto Walton Way.
Walton Way407 m
Move right onto Sowden Lane.
Sowden Lane133 m
Turn left onto Constitution Hill.
Constitution Hill234 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Victoria Road.
67 m
Exit the roundabout onto Victoria Road.
Victoria Road254 m
Turn right onto Inner Relief Road/A39.
Inner Relief Road109 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Victoria Road.
17 m
Exit the roundabout onto Victoria Road.
Victoria Road36 m
Keep straight to stay on Victoria Road.
Victoria Road56 m
Turn left onto Portmarsh Lane.
Portmarsh Lane45 m
Keep right to stay on Portmarsh Lane.
Portmarsh Lane92 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. 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 4th exit onto Eastern Avenue/A39.
62 m
Exit the roundabout onto Eastern Avenue/A39.
Eastern Avenue671 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Hollowtree Road/B3138.
7 m
Exit the roundabout onto Hollowtree Road/B3138.
Hollowtree Road298 m
Keep left to stay on B3138.
B3138939 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.
A361735 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 Road532 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 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.
A391.6 km
Enter Lake Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A361.
Lake Roundabout56 m
Exit the roundabout onto A361.
A361783 m
Exit the roundabout onto A361.
A361340 m
Keep right to stay on A361.
A361232 m
Keep right to stay on A361.
A361339 m
Keep straight to stay on A361.
A361142 m
Keep right to stay on A361.
A361410 m
Enter Portmore Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A361/North Devon Link Road.
Portmore Roundabout62 m
Exit the roundabout onto A361/North Devon Link Road.
A3611.7 km
Enter Landkey Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Blakes Hill Road.
Landkey Roundabout78 m
Exit the roundabout onto Blakes Hill Road.
Blakes Hill Road97 m
Keep right to stay on Blakes Hill Road.
Blakes Hill Road36 m
Turn left onto Birch Road.
Birch Road80 m
Keep right to stay on Birch Road.
Birch Road950 m
Turn left.
84 m
Move left onto Birch Road.
Birch Road420 m
Move left to stay on Birch Road.
Birch Road1.1 km
Move right to stay on Birch Road.
Birch Road869 m
Move left onto Birch Lane.
Birch Lane16 m
Turn right.
97 m
Make a right U-turn.
97 m
Turn left onto Birch Lane.
Birch Lane259 m
Keep right to stay on Birch Lane.
Birch Lane151 m
Keep left to stay on Birch Lane.
Birch Lane112 m
Keep left to stay on Birch Lane.
Birch Lane1.9 km
Move right.
84 m
Turn right onto Birch Road.
Birch Road17 m
Keep right to stay on Birch Road.
Birch Road1.0 km
Turn right onto Blakes Hill Road.
Blakes Hill Road134 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 1st exit onto A361.
Portmore Roundabout30 m
Exit the roundabout onto A361.
A36117 m
Keep right to stay on A361.
A361398 m
Keep left to stay on A361.
A361142 m
Keep left to stay on A361.
A361139 m
Keep left to stay on A361.
A361376 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 Bypass361 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 Road2.1 km
Keep straight to stay on Braunton Road/A361.
Braunton Road244 m
Keep right to stay on A361.
A3612.3 km
Enter Chivenor Cross and take the 2nd exit onto A361.
Chivenor Cross32 m
Exit the roundabout onto A361.
A361117 m
Keep left to stay on A361.
A361251 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A361.
32 m
Exit the roundabout onto A361.
A361169 m
Keep right to stay on A361.
A361168 m
Keep right to stay on A361.
A361115 m
Keep straight to stay on A361.
A361831 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Exeter Road/A361.
26 m
Exit the roundabout onto Exeter Road/A361.
Exeter Road792 m
Turn right onto East Street.
East Street336 m
Move left onto Church Street.
Church Street24 m
Keep right to stay on Church Street.
Church Street335 m
Move left to stay on Church Street.
Church Street31 m
Turn left onto Chaloner's Road/A361.
Chaloner's Road1.3 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Exeter Road/A361.
4 m
Exit the roundabout onto Exeter Road/A361.
Exeter Road66 m
Keep right to stay on A361.
A361626 m
Keep left to stay on A361.
A361142 m
Keep left to stay on A361.
A361115 m
Keep right to stay on A361.
A361338 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto A361.
11 m
Exit the roundabout onto A361.
A361371 m
Enter Chivenor Cross and take the 2nd exit onto A361.
Chivenor Cross29 m
Exit the roundabout onto A361.
A361146 m
Keep right to stay on A361.
A3614.5 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 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 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 Road662 m
Turn left onto Victoria Street.
Victoria Street105 m
Keep right to stay on Victoria Street.
Victoria Street186 m
Turn left to stay on Victoria Street.
Victoria Street157 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Victoria Road.
9 m
Exit the roundabout onto Victoria Road.
Victoria Road36 m
You have arrived at your destination.
Directions for the Barnstaple · Route 12 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 Lake Roundabout, Roundswell Roundabout, Landkey Roundabout. Get into the correct lane early and check your exit mirror before leaving.
Dual-carriageway join
About 17.6 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 (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.
Barnstaple Bus Station
Start near Barnstaple Bus Station.
Flukey's Bar
Continue to Flukey's Bar.
Salvation Army
Continue to Salvation Army.
Kingdom Hall
Continue to Kingdom Hall.
Argos
Continue to Argos.
Grosvenor Church
Continue to Grosvenor Church.
Johnstone's Decorating Centre
Continue to Johnstone's Decorating Centre.
Lake Roundabout
Continue to Lake Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
St John The Baptist
Continue to St John The Baptist.
Burger King
Continue to Burger King.
Kings Carpets
Continue to Kings Carpets.
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.
Landkey Roundabout
Continue to Landkey Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
Portmore Roundabout
Continue to Portmore Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
Chivenor Cross
Continue to Chivenor Cross, taking the junction with good observation.
Heanton Court
Continue to Heanton Court.
Braunton Pentecostal Church
Continue to Braunton Pentecostal Church.
South Street Church
Continue to South Street Church.
St Brannock's Church
Finish back near St Brannock's Church, completing the loop.
9 roundabouts · 13 turns
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 96.4 km and takes about 40 min to drive at a steady learner pace. It is an independent practice loop near Barnstaple test centre, not an official DVSA route.