The original station was opened in 1837 by the Grand Junction Railway. The present station dates from 1961, when the station buildings and footbridge were replaced as part of the West Coast electrification project. Customer Information Screens and electronic departure boards were introduced in 2011.
The station was further modernised In 2014 with a new footbridge, new shelters, an increase in the height of the platforms and a larger car park. There is step-free access to both platforms and to the ticket office.
The station is staffed and there is also a ticket machine, available at all hours.
There is a half hourly bus service Monday to Saturday to Northwich and Chester passing the station entrance.
Hartford is the closest West Coast Main Line station to the town of Northwich, where you will find the Weaver Hall Museum which tells the story of Mid Cheshire.
Hartford Station is 1 mile away from Greenbank Station – a 20 minute walk – from where the Mid Cheshire Line provides a regular service between Chester and Manchester including intermediate stations at Northwich, Knutsford, and Altrincham. Turn right out of Hartford station entrance and follow this straight road for a pleasant mile, passing shops, cafes, Hartford Parish Church and schools and colleges, to reach Greenbank station, also on the right.
Hartford Station has won an award in the Cheshire Best Kept Station Competition.