[5] The station also has a small convenience store, coffee kiosk and toilets, which are only available during staffing hours.

The station was opened by the Mid-Kent Railway (MKR) on 1 January 1857[10] as the terminus of the line from Lewisham; it became a junction on 3 May 1858[11] when the West End of London and Crystal Palace Railway Farnborough Extension line from Crystal Palace to Shortlands was opened.

On 1 July 1863 the London Chatham & Dover Railway Metropolitan Extension from Beckenham to Victoria/Blackfriars completed the lines serving the station.

Despite a partial rebuilding in 1890 the original MKR building is still in use as the main station offices and booking hall.

[citation needed] The two platform Tramlink stop opened in 2000, with the rest of the route to the Croydon loop.