The station is located just off the main road through the town, Green Lane.

The line serves as the sole continuous link between the town of Northwood and London, key for a region known as Metro-Land.

The station was opened on 1 September 1887 on the Metropolitan Railway's extension from the previous terminus at Pinner, en route to Rickmansworth.

Northwood used to be a terminus for many Metropolitan trains, similar to the status of Harrow-on-the-Hill and Neasden, due to the placement of two sidings.

In the southbound direction, off-peak services generally run 4tph to Baker Street and 4tph to Aldgate.