The station is 61 miles 65 chains (99.5 km) down the line from London Victoria (measured via Herne Hill) and is situated between Selling and Bekesbourne.

The station and its line were built by the London, Chatham & Dover Railway and opened on 9 July 1860 as Canterbury.

[3][4] The framework of the platform canopies were originally installed at the never-opened station at Lullingstone.

[citation needed] The signal box was given Grade II listed building status in 2013.

[5] Canterbury East's ticket barriers were removed in early 2011, as they were the only ones of the kind in the country and spare parts were no longer easy to obtain.