[1] Its large very low frequency (VLF) transmitter came into service on 1 January 1926 and was originally used to transmit telegraph messages to the Commonwealth as part of the Imperial Wireless Chain.

[4] In 1927, a second transmitter was installed to initiate the first transatlantic commercial telephone service; linking New York and London[5] on 60 kHz using single-sideband modulation.

This new function developed from the decision, in 1951, to use the station to transmit modulated standard frequencies for scientific reference purposes.

In 1977 this took the form of the rolling slow code in use until April 2007, when BT's contract to transmit the time signal also passed to VT Communications, using their Anthorn radio station in Cumbria.

The site is now being developed into a large new housing estate named Houlton, the first homes of which were occupied in December 2017.