The Exe Valley Railway opened on May 1st 1885 running from the junction with the Great Western main line at Stoke Canon through to Tiverton and on to Bampton and Dulverton. Until 1906 the station was known as 'Cadeleigh and Bickleigh' and afterwards as 'Cadeleigh' to avoid confusion with the other Devon Bickleigh near Plymouth.

It was built as a single line with passing 'loops' one of these being here..The main station buildings were on the eastern side of the line, known as the down line.. The second platform, to the west of the running lines, contained a wooden waiting shelter and a signal box and was known as the up line. Behind the western platform was a small goods yard, with stone and brick built goods shed, cranes and a cattle dock for loading animals. At the far northern end was a timber hut used as an agricultural store.

With  a nearby Mill, Timber yard and Cattle Market goods and stock could be moved, local farms could send their produce to market and coal and other necessities brought in to the village.

The line fell subject to the 'Beeching' Axe and closed in 1963.  Villagers Alice Haydon,nee Vowler, worked the signal box, Joyce Bond in the Booking Office and William Pugsley who was the last Station Master who was known to have  taken great pride in the appearance of the station.

Today the station site is owned by Devon County Council and leased to the Bickleigh Railway Centre, a popular tourist attraction.