The first station at Lewes was a terminus at Friar's Walk. After the extension to Hastings opened, through trains from Brighton visited the station then reversed out before continuing east. When the line from Haymer Junction opened on 1 October 1847, a new set of makeshift and unroofed platforms opened near the junction to the station, known as the Pinwell platforms. These eliminated the need for reversing trains but were separate from Friars walk. A new junction station with four platform was constructed and opened on 1 November 1857, serving Brighton, London, Uckfield, Newhaven Eastbourne and Hastings. To accommodate more platforms and reduce the tight curves, the station was rebuilt and realigned, and reopened on 17 June 1889. The original route leading to the freight yards was retained.