The original station dates back to 1856, when it was part of the Eastern Counties Railway. It was first served by the Central Line in 1947, and during World War II it was an air-raid shelter, with its tunnels used as an aircraft-component factory.

Alfred Hitchcock was born and raised in Leytonstone. In honour of the centenary of his birth in 2001, a series of mosaic murals depicting his life and works were unveiled in the entrance of the station. David Beckham also born in nearby Whipp’s Cross Hospital, and Jonathan Ross grew up in Leytonstone.

It is said that the main thoroughfare, High Road Leytonstone, which runs to Stratford, is an ancient Roman pathway.