Historically part of the Hindley Urban District, in Lancashire, the area is now a residential suburb of Wigan.

Platt Bridge's border with Bamfurlong is marked by a brook which runs under the A58 and is shown by an ancient marker stone.

On 31 May 2012, the Olympic Torch procession passed through Platt Bridge en route from Stoke-on-Trent to Bolton.

[2] Bryn Marsh & Ince Moss is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) to the east of Platt Bridge.

The main habitats are open water, fen and swamp, mire, woodland, acidic and neutral grassland and ruderal communities.