The station was formerly served by the Bakerloo line of the London Underground from 16 April 1917 until 24 September 1982.

The original station opened as Pinner on the London and Birmingham Railway, either in 1842[4] or c. 1844.

[11] Connections are available at Harrow & Wealdstone for a West Midlands Trains (London Northwestern Railway) fast service to London Euston or the Southern service to East Croydon, or the Bakerloo line calling at all stations to Elephant & Castle.

Figures show that many change at Harrow & Wealdstone for the Southern train to alight at West Brompton or Kensington Olympia for the District line for central London.

In 2007, the station added to its facilities a cafe selling various beverages, snacks and newspapers; this on the northbound platform.

Under the new management of London Overground there has been significant improvement such as new signs, more CCTV and electronic departure boards in the foyer, both platforms and the southbound shelter.

Architectural critic and Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman was an admirer of Hatch End railway station and described it as "half-way between a bank and a medium-sized country house" – Metroland.