The station was opened on 1 May 1848, as part of the Chester and Holyhead Railway (now the North Wales Coast Line) and was named simply Holywell.

[1] The Italianate station building was designed by Francis Thompson and built by Thomas Hughes of Liverpool.[3].

Greenfield Valley is a tarmacked footpath that follows the length of the former branch line to Holywell town centre.

The proposals to reopen are largely based on that the state of the former station platforms remain highly intact.

[11] In July 2020, the Welsh Government included a proposal for a station named Holywell in their long-term aspirations for the North Wales Coast Line.