The Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway (DN&S) was opened in stages.

The section between Enborne Junction (to the west of Newbury) and Winchester was formally opened on 1 May 1885, public services beginning on 4 May; among the original stations was one named Whitchurch.

[4] Whitchurch was already served by one railway station on the LSWR which survives to this day.

The DNSR had a choice of connecting to the LSWR and building a station nearby to aid interchange traffic.

There was also a long passing loop and three sidings complete with a large goods shed.