In 2020, the UK population was estimated at being 67.2 million; of those people, it is thought that nearly ten per cent of those (5.8 million) work in London.

Of course, not all of those people will live in the capital, with commuter towns such as Hainault, Brentwood and Chelmsford being top choices for people travelling into work.

With top-notch transport links from all of the above – trains take as little as half an hour – running a car isn’t cost effective.

That’s where a car-sharing club such as Co Wheels comes in; access to a vehicle when you need it, without the expense and stress of full-time care ownership.

So, where could you go?

Hylands Estate

If you live in Chelmsford itself, you could probably walk to this stunning Grade II listed estate, although any little legs might complain. It’s also just 20 miles from Hainault and 10 from Brentwood, making it ideal for a day out from any of these towns.

With a café, second-hand bookshop, information point, and resident artist studios, along with parkland and a children’s adventure playground, there’s something for all the family to enjoy.

Hiring a medium-sized Co Wheels car club vehicle for the afternoon would cost as little as £35, including petrol, to travel from Hainault to the estate and back again – although that doesn’t include what you’ll spend on goodies in the café!

A day at the races

Chelmsford is known for its horse-racing, although the course itself is nearly 10 miles north of the city centre.

A day watching the horse-racing is always fun, especially for special occasions such as Christmas parties or hen dos, but relying on public transport or a taxi can mean you’re always clock-watching.

With a Co Wheels car club vehicle, you can pick up your ride in the centre of town (we even have seven-seaters to fit the whole gang in) and enjoy it for as long as you like before returning it to its parking spot once everyone’s had enough fun.

Hiring a seven-seater for a day would cost as little as £10 per person, with 20p per mile, giving you the convenience and comfort of your own car, without having to wait around for taxis or risk public transport delays.

Shop til you drop

While areas such as Hainault and Brentwood are a great choice for commuters, they don’t offer much in the way of shopping experience.

And with Christmas approaching, there’s no better time to hit the mall and tick all those presents off your list in one fell swoop.

To save wrestling with all those bags and boxes on the bus, hiring a Co Wheels car for the day means you can buy as much as you want without having to turn yourself into a human game of Buckaroo.

Rental costs just £33.25 for a mini car for the whole day, and mileage to and from Bluewater Shopping Centre, 22 miles from Hainault, would work out at less than £8 – more than worth it to save your feet!

Using the Co Wheels car sharing club is a great way to enjoy a car when you need it, without any of the financial and environmental implications of owning your own.

We have hundreds of vehicles, of all shapes and sizes, around the country, so there’s sure to be one that suits your needs.

Simply sign up here, book your car through our app or online and use your smartcard to access the vehicle. At the end of your trip, return the car to where you found it or to an approved parking zone and you’re done.