It is a stop on the Hope Valley line for services between Manchester Piccadilly and New Mills Central.

The station was built by the Sheffield and Midland Railway Companies' Committee and opened on 1 September 1875.

A joint venture of the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway and the Midland Railway, it was a shorter route than the already existing one through Hyde Junction, and was used by the latter's main line expresses from London until 1880, when they began running via Stockport Tiviot Dale into Manchester Central It was popular with visitors to Belle Vue Zoological Gardens, set up by John Jennison in 1836.

No step-free access available, as entry and exit on both sides is via a pair of stepped ramps from the main road.

[2] On Mondays to Saturdays, Northern Trains operates an hourly service in each direction between Manchester Piccadilly and New Mills Central.