In 1860, the Blyth and Tyne Railway opened the line from Tynemouth to Dairy House Junction, situated south of the village of Hartley in Northumberland.

[6] The electric services became so popular with people living in Whitley Bay and travelling to Newcastle to work, and also with those visiting the town for a day out or a holiday, that a new station became a necessity.

[9] In preparation for its second conversion to electric train operation, this time to join the Tyne and Wear Metro system, the station lost its services towards Newcastle via Monkseaton on 23 January 1978, and was closed completely on 10 September 1979.

[11] The main changes involved in the station's conversion were shortening of the train shed at each end of the platforms and replacement of the original footbridge, with no further major changes having been made as of 2014.

[12] The station has two platforms, both of which have ticket machines (which accept cash, card and contactless payment), smartcard validators, seating, next train audio and visual displays, timetable and information posters and an emergency help point.