The station is located over half a mile from the centre of the town, close to the suburbs of Stoney Lea and Hawks Green.

In 1854, the South Staffordshire Railway (SSR) obtained powers to build a branch to Cannock from Ryecroft Junction on its main line near Walsall; this was opened to passengers and goods on 1 February 1858 together with Cannock station.

In 1855, the Cannock Mineral Railway (CMR) was authorised to connect this branch with the London and North Western Railway (LNWR) at Rugeley, this line was leased to the LNWR on 7 November 1859 and opened for passengers and goods at the same time.

It had previously closed to passengers on 18 January 1965 and to goods on 10 August 1964, as part of the Beeching Axe.

[citation needed] Service frequencies vary depending on the time of day.