It was first opened by the Eastern Counties Railway on 1 April1865, serving principally as a goods station taking agricultural produce from the nearby farms into central London. During World War II, it was frequently used by airmen to and from the North Weald Aerodrome. Steam locomotives operated by British Rail for the Underground ran a shuttle service from Epping to Ongar (stopping at North Weald) from 1949 to 1957, when the line was electrified and taken over by the Underground's Central Line.
The entire Epping to Ongar branch was not heavily used and was never profitable. It was finally closed on 30 September1994.
