The station was built by the Great Western Railway in 1852, on their line from Birmingham to Oxford. In the past, the station was known as Knowle and Dorridge, as it also serves the nearby village of Knowle. Prior to electrification of the former LMS line from London Euston to Birmingham New Street the former GWR London Paddington - Birkenhead Woodside trains passed through the station but did not stop. The station was renamed from Knowle to Dorridge on 6 May 1974.