It is on the Central line between Woodford and Loughton stations, and is in London fare zone 5.

The station opened on 22 August 1856 as part of the Eastern Counties Railway branch from London to Loughton.

It originally had staggered platforms, with the main buildings on the down side (tracks heading away from London).

When the line was electrified a pedestrian underpass was built in order to connect the two parts of Queens Road previously joined by a level crossing.

These exits were closed in 1982, but reopened in May 2018 in order to provide access to the station for mobility impaired passengers.