Skip to content
Practice route
Challenging

Chippenham · Route 14

Near Chippenham test centre

47.9 km
Distance
35 min
Duration
Challenging
Difficulty
19
Manoeuvres
Difficulty: Challenging

Rated challenging from its real manoeuvre load, 12 roundabouts, 8 turns and 2 signalled junctions across 24 navigation steps.

How this route is examined

This is an independent 47.9 km practice route near Chippenham 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 Beanacre Road, Showell Farm, Chequers Roundabout and Brook 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 parks, churches, shops and pubs, 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 Chippenham 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.

4
Left turns
4
Right turns
12
Roundabouts
2
Traffic lights
24
Total steps

Skills & features

55
Roundabouts
27.6 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
  • Sustained concentration

Road mix

  • Trunk roads 27.6 km
  • A-roads 7.8 km
  • B-roads 5.3 km
  • Residential 3.5 km
  • Minor roads 2.5 km
  • Unclassified 1.2 km
  • service_other 0.4 km

Turn-by-turn directions

The full 92-step drive on real, named roads (about 47.9 km). An indicative practice loop, not an official DVSA route — the roads and junctions are real, the sequence is a rehearsal.

  1. Depart:

    Drive south.

    15 m

  2. Turn left:

    Turn left.

    38 m

  3. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Bumpers Way.

    Bumpers Way805 m

  4. Roundabout:

    Enter Bumpers Farm and take the 4th exit onto Bristol Road/A420.

    Bumpers Farm135 m

  5. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto Bristol Road/A420.

    Bristol Road551 m

  6. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Bristol Road/A420.

    7 m

  7. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto Bristol Road/A420.

    Bristol Road20 m

  8. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Bristol Road/A420.

    13 m

  9. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto Bristol Road/A420.

    Bristol Road648 m

  10. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Woodlands Road.

    Woodlands Road505 m

  11. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Loyalty Street.

    Loyalty Street314 m

  12. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Audley Road.

    Audley Road163 m

  13. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Lowden Avenue.

    Lowden Avenue230 m

  14. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Goldney Avenue.

    Goldney Avenue240 m

  15. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Audley Road.

    Audley Road214 m

  16. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Sheldon Road.

    Sheldon Road22 m

  17. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Lowden.

    Lowden675 m

  18. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Rowden Hill/A4. Continue on A4.

    A4962 m

  19. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Bath Road/A4.

    Bath Road18 m

  20. Roundabout:

    Enter Bridge Roundabout and take the 4th exit onto Bath Road.

    Bridge Roundabout134 m

  21. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto Bath Road.

    Bath Road39 m

  22. Turn left:

    Turn left to stay on Bath Road.

    Bath Road134 m

  23. Turn left:

    Turn left onto The Bridge.

    The Bridge253 m

  24. Turn left:

    Move left onto Marshfield Road.

    Marshfield Road332 m

  25. Turn right:

    Make a sharp right onto Park Lane/A420.

    Park Lane377 m

  26. Keep right:

    Keep right to take New Road/A420.

    New Road266 m

  27. Turn right:

    Move right to stay on New Road/A420.

    New Road19 m

  28. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Marshfield Road/A420.

    Marshfield Road329 m

  29. Turn right:

    Make a sharp right onto Park Lane/A420.

    Park Lane377 m

  30. Keep left:

    Keep left to take Park Lane/B4158.

    Park Lane69 m

  31. Turn left:

    Move left onto Langley Road/B4069. Continue on B4069.

    B4069826 m

  32. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Pew Hill.

    Pew Hill65 m

  33. U-turn:

    Make a right U-turn to stay on Pew Hill.

    Pew Hill65 m

  34. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Pew Hill/B4069.

    B40691.1 km

  35. Turn right:

    Move right onto New Road/A420. Continue on A420.

    A420305 m

  36. Roundabout:

    Enter Bridge Roundabout and take the 4th exit onto Bath Road/A4.

    Bridge Roundabout145 m

  37. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto Bath Road/A4. Continue on A4.

    A41.3 km

  38. Turn left:

    Turn left onto B4643.

    B46431.0 km

  39. Turn left:

    Move left onto B4528.

    B4528326 m

  40. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto B4528.

    70 m

  41. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto B4528.

    B4528709 m

  42. Roundabout:

    Enter Lackham Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A350.

    Lackham Roundabout25 m

  43. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A350.

    A3506.3 km

  44. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A350/Beanacre Road.

    21 m

  45. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A350/Beanacre Road.

    A350992 m

  46. Roundabout:

    Enter Farmers Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Bradford Road/A3102.

    Farmers Roundabout8 m

  47. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto Bradford Road/A3102. Continue on A3102.

    A3102312 m

  48. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Bath Road/A3102.

    Bath Road100 m

  49. Turn right:

    Move right onto Bath Road/A3102. Continue on A3102.

    A3102356 m

  50. Roundabout:

    Enter Farmers Roundabout and take the 4th exit onto A350/Beanacre Road.

    Farmers Roundabout143 m

  51. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A350/Beanacre Road.

    A3501.0 km

  52. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A350/Beanacre Road.

    24 m

  53. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A350/Beanacre Road. Continue on A350.

    A3506.3 km

  54. Roundabout:

    Enter Lackham Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto A350/West Cepen Way.

    Lackham Roundabout50 m

  55. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A350/West Cepen Way.

    A350446 m

  56. Roundabout:

    Enter Showell Farm and take the 1st exit onto A350/West Cepen Way.

    Showell Farm36 m

  57. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A350/West Cepen Way.

    A3501.4 km

  58. Roundabout:

    Enter Chequers Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A350/West Cepen Way.

    Chequers Roundabout50 m

  59. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A350/West Cepen Way.

    A350270 m

  60. Roundabout:

    Enter Cepen Park South and take the 1st exit onto A350/West Cepen Way.

    Cepen Park South47 m

  61. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A350/West Cepen Way.

    A3502.2 km

  62. Roundabout:

    Enter Bumpers Farm and take the 2nd exit onto A350/West Cepen Way.

    Bumpers Farm52 m

  63. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A350/West Cepen Way.

    A350236 m

  64. Roundabout:

    Enter Brook Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto A350/West Cepen Way.

    Brook Roundabout50 m

  65. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A350/West Cepen Way.

    A350925 m

  66. Roundabout:

    Enter Badger Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A350/West Cepen Way.

    Badger Roundabout44 m

  67. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A350/West Cepen Way.

    A350269 m

  68. Roundabout:

    Enter Malmesbury Road Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A350/Malmesbury Road.

    Malmesbury Road Roundabout37 m

  69. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A350/Malmesbury Road.

    A350908 m

  70. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Plough Lane.

    Plough Lane852 m

  71. Turn right:

    Move right onto The Common.

    The Common188 m

  72. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Parkers Lane.

    Parkers Lane180 m

  73. Turn left:

    Turn left to stay on Parkers Lane.

    Parkers Lane166 m

  74. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Plough Lane.

    Plough Lane837 m

  75. Turn left:

    Turn left onto A350/Malmesbury Road.

    A350915 m

  76. Roundabout:

    Enter Malmesbury Road Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Malmesbury Road/B4158.

    Malmesbury Road Roundabout28 m

  77. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto Malmesbury Road/B4158.

    Malmesbury Road1.3 km

  78. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Wedmore Avenue.

    Wedmore Avenue120 m

  79. Turn left:

    Turn left onto East Yewstock Crescent.

    East Yewstock Crescent279 m

  80. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Hardenhuish Avenue.

    Hardenhuish Avenue237 m

  81. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Bristol Road/A420.

    Bristol Road729 m

  82. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Bristol Road/A420.

    6 m

  83. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto Bristol Road/A420.

    Bristol Road20 m

  84. Roundabout:

    Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Bristol Road/A420.

    14 m

  85. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto Bristol Road/A420.

    Bristol Road545 m

  86. Roundabout:

    Enter Bumpers Farm and take the 2nd exit onto A350/West Cepen Way.

    Bumpers Farm47 m

  87. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A350/West Cepen Way.

    A3502.2 km

  88. Roundabout:

    Enter Cepen Park South and take the 3rd exit onto A350/West Cepen Way.

    Cepen Park South143 m

  89. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A350/West Cepen Way.

    A3502.2 km

  90. Roundabout:

    Enter Bumpers Farm and take the 4th exit onto Bumpers Way.

    Bumpers Farm130 m

  91. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto Bumpers Way.

    Bumpers Way449 m

  92. Arrive:

    You have arrived at your destination.

Directions for the Chippenham · Route 14 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.

  • Beanacre Road
  • Showell Farm
  • Chequers Roundabout
  • Brook Roundabout

Schools

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

  • St Nicholas School

Churches

Useful navigation anchors on the loop.

  • New Testament Church of God
  • Sheldon Road Methodist Church
  • Baptist Church
  • Salvation Army - Chippenham
  • St. Barnabas

Parks & green space

Pedestrian crossings and parked cars are common nearby.

  • Brook

Pubs

Easy landmarks to navigate the loop by.

  • New Inn
  • Old Road Tavern
  • Rowden Arms
  • Unicorn

Shops & parades

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

  • Tasty House
  • Yilmaz Kebabs & Breakfast

Watch out for

  • Multiple roundabouts

    Watch your lane discipline and signalling at Chequers Roundabout, Brook Roundabout. Get into the correct lane early and check your exit mirror before leaving.

  • Dual-carriageway join

    About 27.6 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 (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. Brook

    Start near Brook.

  2. New Testament Church of God

    Continue to New Testament Church of God.

  3. Sheldon Road Methodist Church

    Continue to Sheldon Road Methodist Church.

  4. Baptist Church

    Continue to Baptist Church.

  5. Salvation Army - Chippenham

    Continue to Salvation Army - Chippenham.

  6. Tasty House

    Continue to Tasty House.

  7. New Inn

    Continue to New Inn.

  8. Old Road Tavern

    Continue to Old Road Tavern.

  9. Rowden Arms

    Continue to Rowden Arms.

  10. St. Barnabas

    Continue to St. Barnabas.

  11. Melksham Baptist Church

    Continue to Melksham Baptist Church.

  12. Unicorn

    Continue to Unicorn.

  13. Beanacre Road

    Continue to Beanacre Road, taking the junction with good observation.

  14. Showell Farm

    Continue to Showell Farm, taking the junction with good observation.

  15. Chequers Roundabout

    Continue to Chequers Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.

  16. Brook Roundabout

    Continue to Brook Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.

  17. Cepen Park

    Continue to Cepen Park.

  18. Plymouth Brethren Meeting Hall

    Continue to Plymouth Brethren Meeting Hall.

  19. St Nicholas School

    Continue to St Nicholas School.

  20. Yilmaz Kebabs & Breakfast

    Finish back near Yilmaz Kebabs & Breakfast, completing the loop.

More routes at Chippenham test centre

Route FAQs

This route is 47.9 km and takes about 35 min to drive at a steady learner pace. It is an independent practice loop near Chippenham test centre, not an official DVSA route.