The station was opened on 28 March 1848 and was originally named "Ludborough for Fulstow" although the "for Fulstow" was later dropped. Although its name is taken from the Lincolnshire village of Ludborough, the station is in fact situated halfway between that village and Fulstow. It was constructed by contractor John Waring and Sons of Rotherham who, in December 1846, had agreed to construct the line between and for the sum of £46,102 (). The architects of the station buildings were John Grey Weightman and Matthew Ellison Hadfield of Sheffield.