[2] It is on the Tarka Line to Barnstaple, 22 miles 27 chains (35.9 km) from Exeter Central at milepost 193.75 from London Waterloo.

The platform was damaged and the signal box subsided when the River Taw flooded on 21 November 1967.

In British Railways days the summer Saturday Atlantic Coast Express 11.00 Waterloo to Ilfracombe made its only stop between Exeter and Barnstaple at Eggesford.

[7] The original building was designed in Gothic style by William Tite and built from mudstone rubble with ashlar detailing.

Access to the Barnstaple platform is by a short path leading from the level crossing at the east end of the station.

The second signal box was opened on 28 September 1969 on the same side of the line but close to the level crossing.

There is generally one train per hour in each direction between Barnstaple and Exeter Central but a very small number of services continue to or from other routes in East Devon on weekdays.