The station opened on 28 September 1846 as the temporary terminus of the Lancaster and Carlisle Railway. Through trains operated from 20 April 1847 when the Kendal and Windermere Railway opened its line to Windermere.
The second platform at the station was taken out of use when the line was singled in May 1973. A car park now occupies the site of the demolished Oxenholme-bound platform, signal box and goods depot. The signal box was dismantled after closure and rebuilt at Kirkby Stephen on the Settle-Carlisle Line. The former station building survives but no longer forms part of the station itself (now in private commercial use).
