the main line of the s&d was opened on 27 september 1825 from phoenix colliery at etherley to stockton, and this station was opened the same day, being originally named "aycliffe lane". it was subsequently renamed three times: first to "aycliffe and heighington", later, on 1 july 1871, it became "aycliffe", although this name lasted for just over three years, because on 1 september 1874 it gained the present name of "heighington".