Near Blyth test centre
Rated challenging from its real manoeuvre load, 11 roundabouts, 15 turns and 1 signalled junction across 29 navigation steps.
This is an independent 116.2 km practice loop near Blyth 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 Woodhorn 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 stations, churches, pubs 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.
What you’ll actually do on this loop, counted from its turn-by-turn directions.
This route helps you practise:
Road mix
The full 219-step drive on real, named roads (about 116.4 km). An indicative practice loop, not an official DVSA route — the roads and junctions are real, the sequence is a rehearsal.
Drive southeast on Freehold Street.
Freehold Street39 m
Turn right onto Carlton Street.
Carlton Street62 m
Turn right onto Percy Street.
Percy Street94 m
Turn left onto Bridge Street/B1328. Continue on Bridge Street.
Bridge Street143 m
Turn left onto Union Street/B1327.
Union Street226 m
Turn left onto Wellington Street.
Wellington Street89 m
Turn left onto Beaconsfield Street.
Beaconsfield Street94 m
Turn right onto Carlton Street.
Carlton Street119 m
Turn left onto Percy Street.
Percy Street94 m
Turn right onto Bridge Street/B1328.
Bridge Street65 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto B1329.
4 m
Exit the roundabout onto B1329.
B1329304 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Albert Street.
48 m
Exit the roundabout onto Albert Street.
Albert Street72 m
Turn left onto York Street.
York Street14 m
Turn left.
38 m
Turn right onto Albert Street.
Albert Street47 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Maddison Street/B1329.
50 m
Exit the roundabout onto Maddison Street/B1329.
Maddison Street148 m
Turn right onto Regent Street/B1329. Continue on B1329.
B1329921 m
Turn right onto Cowpen Road/A193.
Cowpen Road2.2 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A193.
30 m
Exit the roundabout onto A193.
A193131 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto A189.
170 m
Exit the roundabout onto A189.
A1895.2 km
Enter North Seaton Roundabout and take the 4th exit onto North Seaton Road/B1334.
North Seaton Roundabout269 m
Exit the roundabout onto North Seaton Road/B1334.
North Seaton Road2.0 km
Turn left onto Woodhorn Lane/A197. Continue on A197.
A1971.8 km
Turn left to stay on A197.
A19713 m
Keep straight to stay on A197.
A197383 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto A189.
22 m
Exit the roundabout onto A189.
A189334 m
Enter Woodhorn Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A189.
Woodhorn Roundabout112 m
Exit the roundabout onto A189.
A1891.8 km
Enter North Seaton Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A189.
North Seaton Roundabout151 m
Exit the roundabout onto A189.
A1894.8 km
Take the exit.
A189366 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit.
187 m
Exit the roundabout onto A193.
A193347 m
Turn right onto Furnace Road.
Furnace Road343 m
Keep right to stay on Furnace Road.
Furnace Road135 m
Keep right to stay on Furnace Road.
Furnace Road742 m
Turn right onto B1311.
B1311460 m
Take the exit.
385 m
Keep right to stay on A1147.
A1147143 m
Take the exit.
A1893.8 km
Enter North Seaton Roundabout and take the 2nd exit.
North Seaton Roundabout269 m
Exit the roundabout onto North Seaton Road/B1334.
North Seaton Road1.3 km
Turn right onto Melrose Terrace.
Melrose Terrace231 m
Turn left.
45 m
Turn left onto Meldon Terrace.
Meldon Terrace214 m
Turn left onto Beach Terrace.
Beach Terrace18 m
Turn right onto Sydney Terrace.
Sydney Terrace32 m
Turn left to stay on Sydney Terrace.
Sydney Terrace16 m
Turn left onto North Seaton Road/B1334.
North Seaton Road1.3 km
Enter North Seaton Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto A189.
North Seaton Roundabout95 m
Exit the roundabout onto A189.
A1897.3 km
Take the exit.
518 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto A192.
145 m
Exit the roundabout onto A192.
A192648 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
23 m
Exit the roundabout onto Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road250 m
Keep right to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road143 m
Keep left to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road108 m
Keep left to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road166 m
Keep left to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road174 m
Keep right to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road103 m
Keep right to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road126 m
Keep right to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road150 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
47 m
Exit the roundabout onto Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road306 m
Keep right to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road183 m
Keep right to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road346 m
Keep right to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road75 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto B1523.
32 m
Exit the roundabout onto B1523.
B15231.2 km
Turn right onto Plessey Road/B1523.
Plessey Road86 m
Turn right onto Links View.
Links View32 m
Turn right to stay on Links View.
Links View226 m
Turn left onto Willow Crescent.
Willow Crescent162 m
Turn left onto Links View.
Links View186 m
Turn left onto Willow Crescent.
Willow Crescent162 m
Turn right onto Links View.
Links View41 m
Turn left to stay on Links View.
Links View32 m
Turn left onto Plessey Road/B1523. Continue on B1523.
B15231.3 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
83 m
Exit the roundabout onto Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road424 m
Keep right to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road183 m
Keep right to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road202 m
Keep left to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road102 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
23 m
Exit the roundabout onto Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road107 m
Keep right to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road167 m
Keep left to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road103 m
Keep left to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road174 m
Keep left to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road166 m
Keep left to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road108 m
Keep left to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road143 m
Keep left to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road250 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto A192.
133 m
Exit the roundabout onto A192.
A192651 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 4th exit.
422 m
Exit the roundabout onto A189.
A1897.8 km
Enter North Seaton Roundabout and take the 4th exit onto North Seaton Road/B1334.
North Seaton Roundabout269 m
Exit the roundabout onto North Seaton Road/B1334.
North Seaton Road1.3 km
Turn right onto Melrose Terrace.
Melrose Terrace60 m
Turn right onto Rothsay Terrace.
Rothsay Terrace193 m
Turn left onto North Seaton Road/B1334.
North Seaton Road1.1 km
Enter North Seaton Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto A189.
North Seaton Roundabout95 m
Exit the roundabout onto A189.
A1893.5 km
Take the A1147 exit.
A1147416 m
Keep left to take B1311.
B1311554 m
Keep left to stay on B1311.
B1311105 m
Keep right to stay on B1311.
B1311100 m
Keep right to stay on B1311.
B1311103 m
Keep right to stay on B1311.
B13111.6 km
Turn right onto Beech Grove.
Beech Grove32 m
Turn left to stay on Beech Grove.
Beech Grove128 m
Turn left to stay on Beech Grove.
Beech Grove32 m
Turn right onto Beech Grove/B1311.
Beech Grove25 m
Move right to stay on Beech Grove/B1311.
Beech Grove13 m
Turn left onto Brook Court/B1331. Continue on B1331.
B1331175 m
Turn left onto Front Street East/A193.
Front Street East48 m
Keep left to stay on A193.
A1931.4 km
Turn left onto Bebside Road/A193.
Bebside Road1.4 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto A189.
13 m
Exit the roundabout onto A189.
A1895.2 km
Enter North Seaton Roundabout and take the 4th exit onto North Seaton Road/B1334.
North Seaton Roundabout269 m
Exit the roundabout onto North Seaton Road/B1334.
North Seaton Road2.0 km
Turn left onto Woodhorn Lane/A197. Continue on A197.
A1971.8 km
Turn left to stay on A197.
A19713 m
Keep straight to stay on A197.
A197383 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto A189.
22 m
Exit the roundabout onto A189.
A189334 m
Enter Woodhorn Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A189.
Woodhorn Roundabout112 m
Exit the roundabout onto A189.
A1891.8 km
Enter North Seaton Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A189.
North Seaton Roundabout151 m
Exit the roundabout onto A189.
A1897.3 km
Take the exit.
518 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit.
793 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A192.
65 m
Exit the roundabout onto A192.
A192107 m
Keep left to stay on A192.
A1922.7 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A192.
40 m
Exit the roundabout onto A192.
A1921.2 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 5th exit onto Astley Road/A192.
76 m
Exit the roundabout onto Astley Road/A192.
Astley Road1.2 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A192.
32 m
Exit the roundabout onto A192.
A1922.8 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
143 m
Exit the roundabout onto Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road250 m
Keep right to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road143 m
Keep left to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road108 m
Keep left to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road166 m
Keep left to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road174 m
Keep right to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road103 m
Keep right to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road126 m
Keep right to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road150 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
47 m
Exit the roundabout onto Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road306 m
Keep right to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road183 m
Keep right to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road346 m
Keep right to stay on Laverock Hall Road/A1061.
Laverock Hall Road75 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto B1523.
32 m
Exit the roundabout onto B1523.
B1523632 m
Turn left onto Laverock Hall Road.
Laverock Hall Road233 m
Turn left onto Benridge Park.
Benridge Park32 m
Turn right to stay on Benridge Park.
Benridge Park42 m
Make a right U-turn to stay on Benridge Park.
Benridge Park42 m
Turn left to stay on Benridge Park.
Benridge Park32 m
Turn right onto Laverock Hall Road.
Laverock Hall Road233 m
Turn right onto South Newsham Road/B1523. Continue on B1523.
B1523624 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto South Newsham Road/A1061.
16 m
Exit the roundabout onto South Newsham Road/A1061.
South Newsham Road465 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto South Newsham Road/A1061.
62 m
Exit the roundabout onto South Newsham Road/A1061.
South Newsham Road867 m
Turn left onto Fulmar Drive.
Fulmar Drive195 m
Turn left onto Albatross Way.
Albatross Way400 m
Move left to stay on Albatross Way.
Albatross Way52 m
Turn left to stay on Albatross Way.
Albatross Way69 m
Turn left onto South Newsham Road/A1061.
South Newsham Road750 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Rotary Way/A193.
17 m
Exit the roundabout onto Rotary Way/A193.
Rotary Way639 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Rotary Way/A193.
40 m
Exit the roundabout onto Rotary Way/A193.
Rotary Way430 m
Keep right to stay on Rotary Way/A193.
Rotary Way96 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Broadway/A193.
23 m
Exit the roundabout onto Broadway/A193. Continue on A193.
A193488 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Broadway Circle.
38 m
Exit the roundabout onto Broadway Circle.
Broadway Circle1.6 km
Keep left to take Wharton Street.
Wharton Street21 m
Turn left onto Winship Street.
Winship Street218 m
Turn left onto Plessey Road/B1523.
Plessey Road1.4 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Rotary Way/A193.
35 m
Exit the roundabout onto Rotary Way/A193.
Rotary Way527 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Rotary Way/A193.
38 m
Exit the roundabout onto Rotary Way/A193.
Rotary Way74 m
Keep straight to stay on Rotary Way/A193.
Rotary Way570 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 4th exit onto Rotary Way/A193.
158 m
Exit the roundabout onto Rotary Way/A193.
Rotary Way638 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Rotary Way/A193.
40 m
Exit the roundabout onto Rotary Way/A193.
Rotary Way430 m
Keep right to stay on Rotary Way/A193.
Rotary Way96 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Plessey Road/B1327.
30 m
Exit the roundabout onto Plessey Road/B1327.
Plessey Road400 m
Turn right onto Plessey Avenue.
Plessey Avenue143 m
Turn right onto Hunter Avenue.
Hunter Avenue213 m
Turn right onto Shotton Avenue.
Shotton Avenue73 m
Turn right onto Hedley Avenue.
Hedley Avenue194 m
Turn left onto Plessey Avenue.
Plessey Avenue74 m
Turn right onto Plessey Road/B1327. Continue on Plessey Road.
Plessey Road349 m
Move left onto Beaconsfield Street.
Beaconsfield Street247 m
Turn left onto Carlton Street.
Carlton Street29 m
Turn left.
94 m
Turn left onto Wellington Street.
Wellington Street28 m
Turn left onto Beaconsfield Street.
Beaconsfield Street94 m
Turn right onto Carlton Street.
Carlton Street119 m
Turn left onto Percy Street.
Percy Street43 m
You have arrived at your destination.
Directions for the Blyth · Route 13 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 Woodhorn Roundabout. Get into the correct lane early and check your exit mirror before leaving.
Dual-carriageway join
About 26.7 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.
Navigate by these 20 catalogued landmarks rather than a memorised turn list, an indicative loop, not an official DVSA route.
Blyth Bus Station
Start near Blyth Bus Station.
St Cuthberts Church
Continue to St Cuthberts Church.
New Ship
Continue to New Ship.
St. Andrew & St. Marks Church
Continue to St. Andrew & St. Marks Church.
Woodhorn Roundabout
Continue to Woodhorn Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
Bebside Inn
Continue to Bebside Inn.
Fat Butcher
Continue to Fat Butcher.
Congregation Of Yahweh
Continue to Congregation Of Yahweh.
St Bede Church
Continue to St Bede Church.
Bedlington Christian Fellowship
Continue to Bedlington Christian Fellowship.
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
Continue to Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Redburn Motor Company
Continue to Redburn Motor Company.
Hasting
Continue to Hasting.
Seaton Delaval Spiritualist Church
Continue to Seaton Delaval Spiritualist Church.
Split Chimp Tavern
Continue to Split Chimp Tavern.
Newsham
Continue to Newsham.
Gilbert Ward Academy
Continue to Gilbert Ward Academy.
Newsham Primary School
Continue to Newsham Primary School.
Sea Horse
Continue to Sea Horse.
Central Methodist Church Blyth
Finish back near Central Methodist Church Blyth, completing the loop.
8 roundabouts · 17 turns · 1 set of lights
10 roundabouts · 16 turns · 1 set of lights
9 roundabouts · 12 turns · 1 set of lights
7 roundabouts · 14 turns · 1 set of lights
This route is 116.2 km and takes about 40 min to drive at a steady learner pace. It is an independent practice loop near Blyth test centre, not an official DVSA route.