Near Eastbourne test centre
Rated easy from its real manoeuvre load, 8 roundabouts, 9 turns and 2 signalled junctions across 23 navigation steps.
This is an independent 56.9 km practice route near Eastbourne 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 Upper Avenue Roundabout, Lottbridge Roundabout and Birch 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, 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 churches, schools, pubs and stations, 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 Eastbourne 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 130-step drive on real, named roads (about 56.8 km). An indicative practice loop, not an official DVSA route — the roads and junctions are real, the sequence is a rehearsal.
Drive east on Wartling Road.
Wartling Road128 m
Turn right to stay on Wartling Road.
Wartling Road81 m
Enter Sovereign Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Lottbridge Drove.
Sovereign Roundabout19 m
Exit the roundabout onto Lottbridge Drove.
Lottbridge Drove502 m
Enter Seaside Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Seaside/A259.
Seaside Roundabout3 m
Exit the roundabout onto Seaside/A259.
Seaside422 m
Turn left onto Rye Street.
Rye Street178 m
Turn left onto Wartling Road.
Wartling Road124 m
Turn left onto Winchelsea Road.
Winchelsea Road249 m
Turn right onto Seaside/A259.
Seaside346 m
Enter Seaside Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Seaside/A259.
Seaside Roundabout38 m
Exit the roundabout onto Seaside/A259. Continue on A259.
A259564 m
Turn right onto Wallis Avenue.
Wallis Avenue223 m
Turn right onto Princes Road.
Princes Road143 m
Turn left.
18 m
Turn right onto Princes Road.
Princes Road187 m
Make a right U-turn to stay on Princes Road.
Princes Road700 m
Enter Langney Roundabout and take the 4th exit onto Langney Rise/B2104.
Langney Roundabout101 m
Exit the roundabout onto Langney Rise/B2104.
Langney Rise911 m
Turn right onto The Rising.
The Rising736 m
Turn right onto Priory Road.
Priory Road294 m
Turn right onto Wordsworth Drive.
Wordsworth Drive679 m
Turn right onto The Rising.
The Rising563 m
Turn right onto Priory Road.
Priory Road628 m
Turn left onto Netherfield Avenue.
Netherfield Avenue177 m
Turn right to stay on Netherfield Avenue.
Netherfield Avenue180 m
Turn left to stay on Netherfield Avenue.
Netherfield Avenue73 m
Turn right onto Priory Road.
Priory Road894 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Pennine Way.
36 m
Exit the roundabout onto Pennine Way.
Pennine Way1.1 km
Turn left onto Friday Street/B2104.
Friday Street436 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto B2104.
19 m
Exit the roundabout onto B2104.
B210441 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Langney Rise/B2104.
43 m
Exit the roundabout onto Langney Rise/B2104.
Langney Rise1.4 km
Enter Langney Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto St Anthony's Avenue/A259.
Langney Roundabout95 m
Exit the roundabout onto St Anthony's Avenue/A259. Continue on A259.
A259874 m
Enter Seaside Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Seaside/A259.
Seaside Roundabout36 m
Exit the roundabout onto Seaside/A259. Continue on A259.
A2592.1 km
Turn left onto Colonnade Road.
Colonnade Road47 m
Turn right.
1 m
Make a right U-turn.
1 m
Turn left onto Lion Lane.
Lion Lane47 m
Turn right onto Seaside Road/A259. Continue on A259.
A2592.1 km
Enter Seaside Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Seaside/A259.
Seaside Roundabout38 m
Exit the roundabout onto Seaside/A259. Continue on A259.
A259871 m
Enter Langney Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Langney Rise/B2104.
Langney Roundabout55 m
Exit the roundabout onto Langney Rise/B2104.
Langney Rise1.4 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Hide Hollow/B2191.
44 m
Exit the roundabout onto Hide Hollow/B2191.
Hide Hollow697 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Hide Hollow/B2191.
42 m
Exit the roundabout onto Hide Hollow/B2191. Continue on B2191.
B21911.3 km
Turn left onto Rattle Road.
Rattle Road2.6 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Dittons Road/B2247.
36 m
Exit the roundabout onto Dittons Road/B2247.
Dittons Road986 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto A22/Golden Jubilee Way.
7 m
Exit the roundabout onto A22/Golden Jubilee Way.
A222.6 km
Enter Shinewater Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A22/Highfield Link.
Shinewater Roundabout55 m
Exit the roundabout onto A22/Highfield Link.
A22587 m
Enter Lottbridge Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Cross Levels Way/A2280.
Lottbridge Roundabout58 m
Exit the roundabout onto Cross Levels Way/A2280.
Cross Levels Way787 m
Enter Broadwater Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Cross Levels Way/A2280.
Broadwater Roundabout47 m
Exit the roundabout onto Cross Levels Way/A2280.
Cross Levels Way1.1 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Cross Levels Way/A2280.
86 m
Exit the roundabout onto Cross Levels Way/A2280.
Cross Levels Way168 m
Enter Rodmill Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Rodmill Drive.
Rodmill Roundabout32 m
Exit the roundabout onto Rodmill Drive.
Rodmill Drive419 m
Turn right to stay on Rodmill Drive.
Rodmill Drive159 m
Turn left onto Willingdon Road/A2270. Continue on A2270.
A22701.3 km
Turn right onto The Goffs/A259.
The Goffs74 m
Turn left onto Southfields Road.
Southfields Road138 m
Turn right onto Dittons Road.
Dittons Road222 m
Turn left onto Saffrons Road.
Saffrons Road348 m
Turn left onto Old Orchard Road.
Old Orchard Road268 m
Turn right onto Southfields Road.
Southfields Road43 m
Enter Station Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Upperton Road/A259.
Station Roundabout1 m
Exit the roundabout onto Upperton Road/A259.
Upperton Road132 m
Turn right onto The Avenue/A2040.
The Avenue652 m
Enter Upper Avenue Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto The Avenue/A2040.
Upper Avenue Roundabout11 m
Exit the roundabout onto The Avenue/A2040.
The Avenue77 m
Turn left onto Upper Avenue/A2040.
Upper Avenue111 m
Turn left onto Bedfordwell Road/A2021. Continue on A2021.
A20211.6 km
Enter Rodmill Roundabout and take the 4th exit onto Cross Levels Way/A2280.
Rodmill Roundabout70 m
Exit the roundabout onto Cross Levels Way/A2280.
Cross Levels Way166 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Cross Levels Way/A2280.
8 m
Exit the roundabout onto Cross Levels Way/A2280.
Cross Levels Way1.1 km
Enter Broadwater Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Cross Levels Way/A2280.
Broadwater Roundabout52 m
Exit the roundabout onto Cross Levels Way/A2280.
Cross Levels Way775 m
Enter Lottbridge Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A22/Highfield Link.
Lottbridge Roundabout54 m
Exit the roundabout onto A22/Highfield Link.
A22564 m
Enter Shinewater Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A22/Golden Jubilee Way.
Shinewater Roundabout54 m
Exit the roundabout onto A22/Golden Jubilee Way.
A222.6 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 4th exit onto A22/Golden Jubilee Way.
126 m
Exit the roundabout onto A22/Golden Jubilee Way.
A222.6 km
Enter Shinewater Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A22/Highfield Link.
Shinewater Roundabout55 m
Exit the roundabout onto A22/Highfield Link.
A22587 m
Enter Lottbridge Roundabout and take the 4th exit onto A22/Highfield Link.
Lottbridge Roundabout159 m
Exit the roundabout onto A22/Highfield Link.
A22564 m
Enter Shinewater Roundabout and take the 4th exit onto A22/Highfield Link.
Shinewater Roundabout152 m
Exit the roundabout onto A22/Highfield Link.
A22480 m
Turn left towards A2290/Sovereign Harbour/Town Centre.
Lottbridge Drove1.4 km
Enter Birch Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Lottbridge Drove/A2290.
Birch Roundabout22 m
Exit the roundabout onto Lottbridge Drove/A2290.
Lottbridge Drove198 m
Enter Seaside Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Seaside/A259.
Seaside Roundabout3 m
Exit the roundabout onto Seaside/A259.
Seaside311 m
Turn left onto Winston Crescent.
Winston Crescent39 m
Turn right to stay on Winston Crescent.
Winston Crescent38 m
Turn right onto Seaside/A259.
Seaside362 m
Enter Seaside Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Seaside/A259.
Seaside Roundabout36 m
Exit the roundabout onto Seaside/A259.
Seaside1.2 km
Turn right onto Whitley Road/A2021.
Whitley Road577 m
Turn left onto Chawbrook Road.
Chawbrook Road91 m
Move right onto Havelock Road.
Havelock Road129 m
Turn left onto Firle Road.
Firle Road388 m
Turn left onto Seaside/A259.
Seaside1.6 km
Enter Seaside Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Seaside/A259.
Seaside Roundabout38 m
Exit the roundabout onto Seaside/A259.
Seaside311 m
Turn left onto Winston Crescent.
Winston Crescent39 m
Turn right to stay on Winston Crescent.
Winston Crescent38 m
Turn right onto Seaside/A259.
Seaside362 m
Enter Seaside Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Seaside/A259.
Seaside Roundabout36 m
Exit the roundabout onto Seaside/A259.
Seaside1.3 km
Turn left onto Addingham Road.
Addingham Road230 m
Turn left onto Royal Parade/B2106. Continue on Royal Parade.
Royal Parade192 m
Turn left to stay on Royal Parade.
Royal Parade50 m
Turn right onto Sidley Road/B2106.
Sidley Road158 m
Turn left onto Beach Road/B2106.
Beach Road233 m
Turn right onto Seaside/A259.
Seaside344 m
Turn right onto Wartling Road.
Wartling Road320 m
You have arrived at your destination.
Directions for the Eastbourne · Route 5 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.
Pedestrian crossings and parked cars are common nearby.
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 Upper Avenue Roundabout, Lottbridge Roundabout, Birch Roundabout. Get into the correct lane early and check your exit mirror before leaving.
Dual-carriageway join
About 11.3 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, 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.
St Andrew
Start near St Andrew.
St Andrew's Church of England Infants School
Continue to St Andrew's Church of England Infants School.
Farm @ Friday Street
Continue to Farm @ Friday Street.
Martello Inn
Continue to Martello Inn.
Catholic Church Christ the King
Continue to Catholic Church Christ the King.
Jesters Sports and Music Bar
Continue to Jesters Sports and Music Bar.
Marine
Continue to Marine.
Pevensey and Westham
Continue to Pevensey and Westham.
St Luke
Continue to St Luke.
Concept Hairdressing
Continue to Concept Hairdressing.
Shinewater Park
Continue to Shinewater Park.
cemetery chapel
Continue to cemetery chapel.
St Michael & All Angels, Eastbourne
Continue to St Michael & All Angels, Eastbourne.
Emmanuel Church Eastbourne
Continue to Emmanuel Church Eastbourne.
Upper Avenue Roundabout
Continue to Upper Avenue Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
Nissan Yeomans
Continue to Nissan Yeomans.
Lottbridge Roundabout
Continue to Lottbridge Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
Birch Roundabout
Continue to Birch Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
St Agnes Catholic Church
Continue to St Agnes Catholic Church.
New Hope Baptist Church
Finish back near New Hope Baptist Church, completing the loop.
9 roundabouts · 13 turns · 2 sets of lights
9 roundabouts · 16 turns · 1 set of lights
5 roundabouts · 18 turns · 2 sets of lights
9 roundabouts · 12 turns · 3 sets of lights
This route is 56.9 km and takes about 35 min to drive at a steady learner pace. It is an independent practice loop near Eastbourne test centre, not an official DVSA route.