It is 20 miles 9 chains (32.4 km) down the line from London Liverpool Street and is situated between Broxbourne and Harlow Town stations.

The station was designed by Francis Thompson[1] and opened by the Northern and Eastern Railway in 1844.

[1] The main station building was abandoned by British Railways in 1978[1] and remained unoccupied until being converted into a restaurant.

Additional customer information screens, ticket machines, and improved CCTV and lighting were added at the same time.

The station is also served by a small number of peak hour services to and from Ely.