The station opened on 4 July 1887 with the opening of the Elham Valley Railway from Cheriton Junction, on the South Eastern Main Line as far as Barham.

A public siding was located at Wingmore, 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Barham.

[3] Passenger services between Canterbury West and Lyminge were withdrawn on 1 December 1940 and the line was placed under military control.

[1] On 31 October 1941, a fireman was killed on the footplate near Barham during an air raid.

[5] Barham Signal Box is preserved at Shepherdswell, on the East Kent Railway.