The station was opened in 1885 by the LTSR; its original entrance and structure beside the main line platforms survive from that date.

A larger entrance and ticket hall on Station Road was built by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway in 1932 and has since been extensively modernised and includes a number of retail units.

The London Tilbury and Southend Railway (LTSR) connected the City of London and its terminal station at Fenchurch Street with the port at Tilbury Dock in 1854, extending out to the seaside town of Southend in 1856.

The route to Southend was not direct, taking a considerable diversion in order to serve the docks at Tilbury.

[5] Delayed by World War I,[4] an additional pair of electrified tracks were extended by the LMSR and services of the District continued to Upminster in 1932.

The London Overground service at the station was rebranded as the Liberty line from November 2024.