It is 34 miles (55 km) down the line from London Liverpool Street and is situated between Battlesbridge to the west and North Fambridge to the east.

The line and station were opened on 1 June 1889 for goods and on 1 October 1889 for passenger services by the Great Eastern Railway.

When the station was opened in 1889 by the Great Eastern Railway, it was intended to serve the nearby village of Woodham Ferrers, despite being located a few miles to the south.

However, with subsequent development of the surrounding area into the new, and much larger, town of South Woodham Ferrers, the station now serves both.

All services at South Woodham Ferrers are operated by Greater Anglia using Class 720 electric multiple units.