It is 61 miles 14 chains (98.45 km) down the line from London Liverpool Street and is situated between Manningtree to the west and Wrabness to the east.

Mistley was opened by the Eastern Union Railway in 1854 and the brick-built two-storey Italianate station building (now in alternative use) was probably designed by Frederick Barnes.

[6] There was a signal box at the London end of the "down" platform which having been taken out of service on the introduction of multiple aspect signalling in September 1985, was not allowed to be demolished as it was in a conservation area, so it was offered by Tendring Council and British Railways to the East Anglian Railway Museum at Chappel & Wakes Colne, to where it was moved in November 1985 and installed on to a brick base and today is again fully operational.

Trains operate between Harwich Town and Manningtree, calling at all stations, although some are extended to or from Colchester and/or London Liverpool Street.

There is also one direct train a day on Monday to Friday from Mistley to Ipswich (continuing on to Cambridge) during the morning peak,[8] which is operated by a diesel unit.