A "plat" or "platte" is a foot-bridge. Platt Bridge was formed out of part of Abram, Ince and Hindley. The main industry was coal. The earliest records show pits in Platt Bridge area in the 1820's. In 1839 John Dobbs and Adam Platt were working Bamfurlong Colliery, and in 1847 it is known that a new pit was being operated by John Price and Co. Later mining rights over a large area in the neighbourhood of Bamfurlong were leased to Cross Tetley and Co Ltd and a large modern colliery was developed. There were collieries also at Fogg's Fold and Low Green.
One distinguished family in the area was the Peters family. The family originated in Cornwall and settled in Platt Bridge in the 17th century. Ralph Peters I was born in Hindley in 1675 and was educated as an attorney. He became Town Clerk of Liverpool in 1707 and held the post for 36 years. He subscribed to the building of Bluecoats Hospital. The family had properties in both Platt Bridge and Liverpool. His youngest son Richard became a freeman of Liverpool, took holy orders and was for a time Rector of Christ Church Philadelphia, USA. He was one of the founders of the Public Academy (later College) in Philadelphia, along with Benjamin Franklin. The eldest son, Ralph Peters II became Deputy Recorder, Freeman and Bailiff of Liverpool through the 18th century. The family lived at The Platts. The family helped to establish Sunday Schools in Hindley in 1785.
Lowe Hall was the moated manor house of the Langton family. They were Lords of Hindley from about 1330 -1733. The manor of Hindley and the house were sold to the Duke of Bridgewater in the 1760's.
St Nathaniel's CE Church dates from 1905 although there were Primitive Methodist and baptist churches from 1854. Holy Family RC Church dates from 1893 with a new church being opened in 1960.
