It is on the Central line between South Woodford and Buckhurst Hill stations, and is in Travelcard Zone 4.

The station was originally opened on 22 August 1856 as part of the Eastern Counties Railway branch from Leyton to Loughton.

[9][10] Further alterations were carried out by the successor company, the Great Eastern Railway, including services to Ilford via the Fairlop Loop opened between Woodford and Newbury Park in 1903.

The station acted as a terminus of the Central line, with passengers transferring to a steam shuttle onwards towards Epping, where the LNER still had local freight services running between Epping and Loughton, and continued to Stratford (Liverpool Street on Sundays) until 5 October 1970.

[10] The extension was delayed by World War II and electric services commenced as far as Loughton (and around the 'loop' to Hainault) on 21 November 1948.