The station is on the original line of the Great Western Railway which opened on 4 June 1838, although Hanwell station was not ready until December of that year; it opened on 1 December. From 1 March 1883, the station was served by District Railway services running between Mansion House and Windsor; the service was discontinued as uneconomic after 30 September 1885. The station was renamed Hanwell and Elthorne on 1 April 1896, and reverted to Hanwell on 6 May 1974. Re-built circa 1875-77 it has been declared a grade II listed building by English Heritage but is stated to be in a very poor condition.