Carrs Woodland was part of the estate of Charles Wilkins and then later the Carr family who lived at Wood House, a mansion that was located near to the present Woodhouse Road. The area of beech trees would have been planted sometime in the mid 1800’s, probably about the same time that Brunel constructed his Great Western Railway through the site. The impressive crenellated towers of the railway tunnels are still an important feature of the site today.

Many people do not realise that Brunel’s Great Western Railway – which may one day receive World Heritage status – runs beneath Carrs Woodland through two impressive tunnels. The tunnel entrances were designed to look like castle gateways, in a style designed to make rail travel seem exciting and glamorous, as well as fast, efficient and affordable.

In 1960 Wood House was demolished to make way for the Redland Park housing estate. All that can be seen of the house today is a set of ghostly stone steps leading up into the trees. However there are other signs of the old estate to be found in the old kissing gate adjacent to Pennyquick recreation ground and the bridge over Newton Brook leading to Newton Mill Caravan site. The vegetation also holds clues to the past. Around the Woodhouse Road area in amongst the woodland there are various ornamental species of trees and shrubs that would have formed part of the garden of the grand house.

In 2006 the site was declared a Local Nature Reserve. It is owned and managed by Bath & North East Somerset Council with input from the Carrs Woodland Forum.

These days the site is enjoyed by local people and youngsters for walking, playing and exercising dogs. Pupils from St Michael’s Junior School have used the site; most recently helping to plant native flowers to encourage the rare Dotted Beefly.