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Practice route
ChallengingLoop

Blyth · Route 11

Near Blyth test centre

65.6 km
Distance
35 min
Duration
Challenging
Difficulty
19
Manoeuvres
Difficulty: Moderate

Rated moderate from its real manoeuvre load, 8 roundabouts, 15 turns and 1 signalled junction across 26 navigation steps.

How this route is examined

This is an independent 65.6 km practice loop near Blyth 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 Moor Farm 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 independent driving. 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 churches, pubs, schools 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 Blyth 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.

Manoeuvre breakdown

What you’ll actually do on this loop, counted from its turn-by-turn directions.

8
Left turns
7
Right turns
8
Roundabouts
1
Traffic lights
26
Total steps

Skills & features

52
Roundabouts
19.9 km
Dual carriageway
20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 mph
Speed limits
20
Landmarks

This route helps you practise:

  • Multiple roundabouts
  • Dual-carriageway joins
  • National-speed roads
  • 20 mph zones
  • Changing speed limits
  • Residential manoeuvres
  • Busy A-roads
  • Independent driving

Road mix

  • A-roads 24.1 km
  • Trunk roads 19.9 km
  • Minor roads 8.2 km
  • B-roads 6.3 km
  • Residential 2.0 km
  • service_other 0.2 km

Turn-by-turn directions

The full 148-step drive on real, named roads (about 66.0 km). An indicative practice loop, not an official DVSA route — the roads and junctions are real, the sequence is a rehearsal.

  1. Depart:

    Drive southeast on Freehold Street.

    Freehold Street39 m

  2. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Carlton Street.

    Carlton Street62 m

  3. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Percy Street.

    Percy Street94 m

  4. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Bridge Street/B1328.

    Bridge Street65 m

  5. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 4th exit onto Bridge Street/B1328.

    39 m

  6. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto Bridge Street/B1328.

    Bridge Street65 m

  7. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Percy Street.

    Percy Street94 m

  8. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Carlton Street.

    Carlton Street148 m

  9. Turn left:

    Turn left.

    94 m

  10. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Wellington Street.

    Wellington Street28 m

  11. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Beaconsfield Street.

    Beaconsfield Street94 m

  12. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Carlton Street.

    Carlton Street29 m

  13. Turn left:

    Turn left.

    94 m

  14. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Wellington Street.

    Wellington Street28 m

  15. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Beaconsfield Street.

    Beaconsfield Street60 m

  16. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Coburg Street.

    Coburg Street97 m

  17. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Union Street/B1327.

    Union Street60 m

  18. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Aldborough Street.

    Aldborough Street328 m

  19. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Winchester Avenue.

    Winchester Avenue148 m

  20. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Princess Louise Road.

    Princess Louise Road227 m

  21. Roundabout:

    Enter Broadway Circle and take the 1st exit onto Broadway Circle/A193.

    Broadway Circle26 m

  22. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto Broadway Circle/A193. Continue on A193.

    A193488 m

  23. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Rotary Way/A193.

    21 m

  24. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto Rotary Way/A193.

    Rotary Way528 m

  25. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Rotary Way/A193.

    38 m

  26. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto Rotary Way/A193.

    Rotary Way74 m

  27. Keep left:

    Keep straight to stay on Rotary Way/A193.

    Rotary Way570 m

  28. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 4th exit onto Rotary Way/A193.

    158 m

  29. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto Rotary Way/A193.

    Rotary Way638 m

  30. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Rotary Way/A193.

    40 m

  31. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto Rotary Way/A193.

    Rotary Way526 m

  32. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Broadway/A193.

    23 m

  33. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto Broadway/A193. Continue on A193.

    A193488 m

  34. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Broadway Circle.

    38 m

  35. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto Broadway Circle.

    Broadway Circle1.6 km

  36. Keep left:

    Keep left to take Wharton Street.

    Wharton Street21 m

  37. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Winship Street.

    Winship Street235 m

  38. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Plessey Road/B1523. Continue on B1523.

    B1523575 m

  39. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Laverock Hall Road.

    Laverock Hall Road233 m

  40. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Benridge Park.

    Benridge Park32 m

  41. Turn right:

    Turn right to stay on Benridge Park.

    Benridge Park42 m

  42. U-turn:

    Make a right U-turn to stay on Benridge Park.

    Benridge Park42 m

  43. Turn left:

    Turn left to stay on Benridge Park.

    Benridge Park32 m

  44. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Laverock Hall Road.

    Laverock Hall Road233 m

  45. Turn right:

    Turn right onto South Newsham Road/B1523. Continue on B1523.

    B1523624 m

  46. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Laverock Hall Road/A1061.

    83 m

  47. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto Laverock Hall Road/A1061.

    Laverock Hall Road424 m

  48. Keep right:

    Keep right to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.

    Laverock Hall Road183 m

  49. Keep right:

    Keep right to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.

    Laverock Hall Road202 m

  50. Keep left:

    Keep left to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.

    Laverock Hall Road102 m

  51. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Laverock Hall Road/A1061.

    23 m

  52. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto Laverock Hall Road/A1061.

    Laverock Hall Road107 m

  53. Keep right:

    Keep right to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.

    Laverock Hall Road167 m

  54. Keep left:

    Keep left to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.

    Laverock Hall Road103 m

  55. Keep left:

    Keep left to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.

    Laverock Hall Road174 m

  56. Keep left:

    Keep left to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.

    Laverock Hall Road166 m

  57. Keep left:

    Keep left to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.

    Laverock Hall Road108 m

  58. Keep left:

    Keep left to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.

    Laverock Hall Road143 m

  59. Keep left:

    Keep left to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.

    Laverock Hall Road250 m

  60. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A1061.

    68 m

  61. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A1061.

    A1061135 m

  62. Take exit:

    Take the exit.

    4.1 km

  63. Roundabout:

    Enter Moor Farm Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A189.

    Moor Farm Roundabout113 m

  64. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A189.

    A1891.1 km

  65. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Annitsford Road/A190.

    13 m

  66. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto Annitsford Road/A190. Continue on A190.

    A1902.0 km

  67. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Pit Lane.

    Pit Lane448 m

  68. Turn left:

    Move left onto Front Street.

    Front Street1.2 km

  69. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Annitsford Road/A190.

    Annitsford Road987 m

  70. Keep right:

    Keep right to stay on Annitsford Road/A190.

    Annitsford Road105 m

  71. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 4th exit onto A189.

    296 m

  72. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A189.

    A1891.1 km

  73. Roundabout:

    Enter Moor Farm Roundabout and take the 4th exit onto A189.

    Moor Farm Roundabout171 m

  74. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A189.

    A1891.7 km

  75. Take exit:

    Take the exit.

    139 m

  76. Turn right:

    Turn right onto B1505.

    B150525 m

  77. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Clifton Road.

    Clifton Road523 m

  78. Turn left:

    Turn left to stay on Clifton Road.

    Clifton Road32 m

  79. Turn right:

    Turn right to stay on Clifton Road.

    Clifton Road47 m

  80. Turn right:

    Turn right to stay on Clifton Road.

    Clifton Road572 m

  81. Turn right:

    Turn right onto B1505.

    B150525 m

  82. Turn left:

    Turn left to take the A189 ramp.

    A1895.2 km

  83. Take exit:

    Take the exit.

    277 m

  84. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto A193.

    164 m

  85. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A193.

    A193131 m

  86. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Cowpen Road/A193.

    24 m

  87. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto Cowpen Road/A193.

    Cowpen Road28 m

  88. Keep right:

    Keep right to stay on Cowpen Road/A193.

    Cowpen Road1.3 km

  89. Keep left:

    Keep left to stay on Briardale Road.

    Briardale Road35 m

  90. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Dene View Drive.

    Dene View Drive92 m

  91. Keep right:

    Keep right to stay on Dene View Drive.

    Dene View Drive231 m

  92. Keep left:

    Keep left to stay on Dene View Drive.

    Dene View Drive109 m

  93. Keep left:

    Keep straight to stay on Dene View Drive.

    Dene View Drive425 m

  94. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Ford Drive.

    Ford Drive162 m

  95. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Cambo Close.

    Cambo Close236 m

  96. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Ford Drive.

    Ford Drive162 m

  97. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Albion Way.

    Albion Way596 m

  98. Keep left:

    Keep left to stay on Dene View Drive.

    Dene View Drive261 m

  99. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Briardale Road.

    Briardale Road250 m

  100. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Cowpen Road/A193.

    Cowpen Road1.1 km

  101. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A193.

    30 m

  102. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A193.

    A193131 m

  103. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit.

    14 m

  104. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A189.

    A1895.7 km

  105. Take exit:

    Take the exit.

    257 m

  106. Keep right:

    Keep right at the fork.

    24 m

  107. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto B1326.

    10 m

  108. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto B1326.

    B1326243 m

  109. Turn right:

    Turn right onto B1505.

    B1505477 m

  110. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Village Road/B1326.

    Village Road206 m

  111. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Mayfield Avenue.

    Mayfield Avenue63 m

  112. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Hawthorn Villas.

    Hawthorn Villas52 m

  113. Keep right:

    Keep right to stay on Hawthorn Villas.

    Hawthorn Villas154 m

  114. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Sea View Villas/B1505. Continue on B1505.

    B15051.4 km

  115. Keep left:

    Keep left to stay on B1505.

    B1505680 m

  116. Turn left:

    Turn left onto A1171.

    A117146 m

  117. Roundabout:

    Enter Moor Farm Roundabout and take the 4th exit onto A189.

    Moor Farm Roundabout172 m

  118. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A189.

    A1891.1 km

  119. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Annitsford Road/A190.

    13 m

  120. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto Annitsford Road/A190.

    Annitsford Road2.0 km

  121. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Pit Lane.

    Pit Lane448 m

  122. Turn left:

    Move left onto Front Street.

    Front Street1.2 km

  123. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Annitsford Road/A190.

    Annitsford Road988 m

  124. Keep right:

    Keep right to stay on Annitsford Road/A190.

    Annitsford Road105 m

  125. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 4th exit onto A189.

    296 m

  126. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A189.

    A1891.1 km

  127. Roundabout:

    Enter Moor Farm Roundabout and take the 4th exit onto A189.

    Moor Farm Roundabout171 m

  128. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A189.

    A1896.9 km

  129. Take exit:

    Take the exit.

    277 m

  130. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto A193.

    164 m

  131. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A193.

    A193131 m

  132. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Cowpen Road/A193.

    24 m

  133. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto Cowpen Road/A193.

    Cowpen Road28 m

  134. Keep right:

    Keep right to stay on Cowpen Road/A193.

    Cowpen Road2.2 km

  135. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Hodgsons Road/B1329. Continue on B1329.

    B1329921 m

  136. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Maddison Street/B1329.

    Maddison Street148 m

  137. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto B1329.

    30 m

  138. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto B1329.

    B1329303 m

  139. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Bridge Street/B1328.

    27 m

  140. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto Bridge Street/B1328.

    Bridge Street65 m

  141. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Percy Street.

    Percy Street94 m

  142. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Carlton Street.

    Carlton Street89 m

  143. Turn left:

    Turn left.

    94 m

  144. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Wellington Street.

    Wellington Street30 m

  145. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Stanley Street.

    Stanley Street94 m

  146. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Carlton Street.

    Carlton Street59 m

  147. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Percy Street.

    Percy Street43 m

  148. Arrive:

    You have arrived at your destination.

Directions for the Blyth · Route 11 loop. Always drive to the road and conditions you see, not the list — signs, signals and other traffic take priority.

Local roads & landmarks

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.

Junctions & roundabouts

Decide your lane and exit on the approach to each of these, get set up early.

  • Moor Farm Roundabout

Schools

Watch for 20 mph zones, crossings and children near these.

  • Gilbert Ward Academy
  • Seghill First School
  • Northumberland Training and Skills Service Constrction Centre

Churches

Useful navigation anchors on the loop.

  • Central Methodist Church Blyth
  • Congregation Of Yahweh
  • St Bede Church
  • Cowpen Methodist Church
  • St Cuthberts Church

Parks & green space

Pedestrian crossings and parked cars are common nearby.

  • South Quay Park

Pubs

Easy landmarks to navigate the loop by.

  • Olivers
  • Blake Arms
  • Seghill Comrades Club
  • Shankhouse Sports & Social Club

Shops & parades

Frequent stop-start traffic and pedestrians, keep your speed down.

  • Asda Express
  • Asda Opticians

Watch out for

  • Multiple roundabouts

    Watch your lane discipline and signalling at Moor Farm Roundabout. Get into the correct lane early and check your exit mirror before leaving.

  • Dual-carriageway join

    About 19.9 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, 70 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.

Drive it: landmark by landmark

Navigate by these 20 catalogued landmarks rather than a memorised turn list, an indicative loop, not an official DVSA route.

  1. Central Methodist Church Blyth

    Start near Central Methodist Church Blyth.

  2. Olivers

    Continue to Olivers.

  3. Gilbert Ward Academy

    Continue to Gilbert Ward Academy.

  4. Congregation Of Yahweh

    Continue to Congregation Of Yahweh.

  5. St Bede Church

    Continue to St Bede Church.

  6. Moor Farm Roundabout

    Continue to Moor Farm Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.

  7. Blake Arms

    Continue to Blake Arms.

  8. Seghill First School

    Continue to Seghill First School.

  9. Northumberland Training and Skills Service Constrction Centre

    Continue to Northumberland Training and Skills Service Constrction Centre.

  10. Seghill Comrades Club

    Continue to Seghill Comrades Club.

  11. Asda Express

    Continue to Asda Express.

  12. Shankhouse Sports & Social Club

    Continue to Shankhouse Sports & Social Club.

  13. King's Arms

    Continue to King's Arms.

  14. Cowpen Methodist Church

    Continue to Cowpen Methodist Church.

  15. St Cuthberts Church

    Continue to St Cuthberts Church.

  16. Asda Opticians

    Continue to Asda Opticians.

  17. Bay Horse Inn

    Continue to Bay Horse Inn.

  18. Burton House

    Continue to Burton House.

  19. South Quay Park

    Continue to South Quay Park.

  20. Reef Hotel

    Finish back near Reef Hotel, completing the loop.

More routes at Blyth test centre

Route FAQs

This route is 65.6 km and takes about 35 min to drive at a steady learner pace. It is an independent practice loop near Blyth test centre, not an official DVSA route.