The station was opened on 18 June 1850, and both the main platform building and the 1877 pedestrian bridge are Grade II listed.

[citation needed] In 1945, German Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt arrived at the station when he was transferred to the Island Farm prisoner of war camp.

Platform 1A was opened in June 2005 by Andrew Davies to act as the terminus for the newly re-opened Vale of Glamorgan Line, with trains now running through to and from Aberdare.

[5] The station is fully staffed throughout the week, with the ticket office on platform 1 open from early morning until mid-evening.

Train running details are offered via CIS displays, automatic announcements and timetable posters.