Pleaces to teach a learner driver. Guildford/Godalming.

[Drums]

Was wondering if anyone could recommend some good spots to teach a learner driver. Preferably large open spaces with as little other car activity as possible (My Girlfriend who I'm teaching to drive is understandably very nervous about other traffic) Don't mind traveling a bit for the right location so it doesn't explicitly have to be in Guildford/Godalming, but near would be preferable.

Have tried a few industrial estates between Godalming and Guildford after 6pm and they have either been too busy, or in the case of the one perfect location i found, been asked to leave by the estate manager. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Drums

[iva cosworth]

Slyfield industrial estate ?

Drive up and down to the roundabout and back again.

It's a public road so you won't be asked to leave.

Road surface a bit rough last time i was there and don't know how busy it is out of hours.

[Drums]

Thanks for the suggestion, i'll pop down tomorrow and have a look.

[hyperblue]

For the sake of your relationship, find a good driving instructor!

[RichB]

I've done this with several of my lads, basically I took them to a deserted road on a business park and put the 'L' plates on. Got them to drive around the estate for a few laps until I was comfortable and then we progressed out onto the roads. To learn to drive you have to go on the road, so to speak, and the sooner you get over that bit the better for all...

[Drums]

Haha, Got that sorted months ago. Just teaching her the basics to save a few quid. Otherwise I'm sure the most probable outcome would be a break up/murder.

[Drums]

RichB said:

I've done this with several of my lads, basically I took them to a deserted road on a business park and put the 'L' plates on. Got them to drive around the estate for a few laps until I was comfortable and then we progressed out onto the roads. To learn to drive you have to go on the road, so to speak, and the sooner you get over that bit the better for all...

Yeah this is absolutely on the cards. Just thought I'd get clutch control sorted first, then progress out on to some quieter roads.

[Landshark]

iva cosworth said:

Slyfield industrial estate ?

Drive up and down to the roundabout and back again.

It's a public road so you won't be asked to leave.

Road surface a bit rough last time i was there and don't know how busy it is out of hours.

It's all been resurfaced so very smooth, with plenty of layby area's.

[shimmey69]

Rushmoor arena by the Wellington statue in aldershot is ideal for this it's where a lot of the local instructors all take their students for their first lessons.
There is a good circuit there, with roundabout, turns, hill starts the works!

[Drums]

shimmey69 said:

Rushmoor arena by the Wellington statue in aldershot is ideal for this it's where a lot of the local instructors all take their students for their first lessons.
There is a good circuit there, with roundabout, turns, hill starts the works!

That sounds ideal, cheers

[james_gt3rs]

shimmey69 said:

Rushmoor arena by the Wellington statue in aldershot is ideal for this it's where a lot of the local instructors all take their students for their first lessons.
There is a good circuit there, with roundabout, turns, hill starts the works!

Another good place is one of the big carparks in Farnborough (near DFS I think), empty on a Sunday.

[DanTVR]

As said there are probably more places in Farnborough to try. The IQ reaserach park has security but as its a road they can't kick you off. I see people in Learner cars there frequently also this is where the test centre is so there are some bays to practice parking etc. Failing that there is Asda or b and q down the road.

[JonnyFive]

DanTVR said:

As said there are probably more places in Farnborough to try. The IQ reaserach park has security but as its a road they can't kick you off. I see people in Learner cars there frequently also this is where the test centre is so there are some bays to practice parking etc. Failing that there is Asda or b and q down the road.

I got kicked out of the IQ Research Park before..

Slyfield is pretty good for it.. Or in Godalming the area around by the college. Thats where I learnt to drive.

[Jacobyte]

The business park beside the park'n'ride in Artington (between Godalming and Guildford) is where I taught my stepdaughters how to control a car, then left it to the proper instructors to teach them proper on-the-road driving. It's empty at weekends and you can do laps, plenty of space for turning, reverse parking, etc.

[Bannock]

Does anyone local to Rushmoor Arena know if it's still publicly accessible please for the purposes of learner practice, I've looked on streetview and it all seems gated off these days. If it is open still, can anyone tell me where specifically you can gain access please?

I've got a 17 year old desperate for a good quiet practice area, he's a total beginner.

Thanks for any info.

[Soleith]

Jacobyte said:

The business park beside the park'n'ride in Artington (between Godalming and Guildford) is where I taught my stepdaughters how to control a car, then left it to the proper instructors to teach them proper on-the-road driving. It's empty at weekends and you can do laps, plenty of space for turning, reverse parking, etc.

Another vote here for the Guildway (at least on the weekends), am teaching one of my kids here part time in between official instructor lessons. Believe instructor also regularly takes her to Poplar Rd in Shalford area.

[Truckosaurus]

Bannock said:

Does anyone local to Rushmoor Arena know if it's still publicly accessible please for the purposes of learner practice, I've looked on streetview and it all seems gated off these days. If it is open still, can anyone tell me where specifically you can gain access please?

I've got a 17 year old desperate for a good quiet practice area, he's a total beginner.

Thanks for any info.

The roads (which I assume you mean, rather than the Arena itself) are all gated off - The official reason was the arrival of a new Army unit which had bigger vehicles that made rat running locals more of an issue.

You can still access the road up to the church and Wellington Statue if you want some quiet driving.

[Bannock]

Ah OK, thanks. Probably not worth the drive down there then from here (Reading area).