It is on the East Coastway Line, 47 miles 31 chains (76.3 km) from London Bridge via Redhill.

The erstwhile Brighton, Lewes and Hastings Railway were authorised to build the line in 1845; the LBSCR purchased it and opened the link on 1 October 1847.

[3] The first station master was Richard Strevett who stayed until promoted to Hailsham on 17 August 1861.

This replacement (George Bennett) lasted only a few weeks, arriving on 16 August 1861 and returning to his old job (porter at Brighton) on 6 September 1861.

[5] During May 2020, Platform 1 was extended to accommodate 8 coach trains, as opposed to a previous 6.