The station was opened on 1 December 1869[1] by the Lancashire Union Railway on their route between St Helens and Blackburn.

It later became part of the London and North Western Railway, with through running to Liverpool via Huyton commencing in 1871.

The ticket office is staffed throughout the hours of service (as is usual for Merseytravel-sponsored stations), seven days per week.

Customer help points, digital PIS displays and timetable poster boards are provided to offer train running information.

[2] During Monday to Saturday daytimes, Garswood is served by trains every 30 minutes between Liverpool Lime Street and Wigan North Western.