[1][2] The station was served by the Salisbury and Dorset Junction Railway, a line running north–south, along the River Avon just to the west of the New Forest, connecting Salisbury to the north and Wimborne to the south, meeting the Southampton and Dorchester Railway at West Moors.

On 20 December 1866, 19 miles of single track line was opened from Alderbury Junction (between Salisbury and Dean) to West Moors (although there was no station there at first), forming a link between Wimborne and Salisbury and passing through Downton, Breamore, Fordingbridge, Alderholt and Verwood.

The bypassing of Cranborne reduced its importance and caused the expansion of Verwood which until then had been a minor hamlet known as Fairwood.

At times of light traffic, the signal box at Verwood would be closed, and all trains would use the main platform on the western ('up') side.

Unfortunately it also encouraged imports of household "enamel ware" which led to the gradual cessation of the pottery industry.

During World War II, much traffic passed through Verwood as the line was a useful secondary route between the industrial north and midlands and the naval and military establishments in Dorset.

Apart from in the holiday season, traffic on the line was always light and closure had been discussed prior to the Beeching Axe.

The site where the station ticket office, tracks, and platforms were is now a road, with a housing estate built on the old goods yard.