I did the manual test, and did 11 hours of lessons over a 2 week period (5 2 hour lessons, and 1 hour right before my test), and then had my test at the end of the 2nd week. I was under a bit of time pressure, as I was trying to pass while we were staying with my in-laws, before moving back to London. I told the instructor what I was trying to accomplish, and we agreed that we would assess after the first week, and see if we thought I could pass. I also did A LOT of practice with my husband after my lessons, going over the different test routes (which you can print up from the DVLA website). Probably an extra 2 hours every day.
I had never driven a manual before moving over here, and while I did know the basics before my lessons (from driving around with my husband) I was really nervous and low on confidence. The lessons helped a lot. My husband had been trying to teach me, but it just wasn't working. After my first 2 lessons, I felt a lot more confident (like I could actually drive again!), and we spent most of the rest of the lessons going of the maneuvers and the test routes.
Oh, and I passed the first time
I'm still so relieved about it.