At the turn of the century there were two breweries in Lower Adlington at the White Bear and the Plough respectively. Intense rivalry existed between them and each tried to outdo the other in the superlatives used to describe their various products; for example, 'celebrated mild and bitter ales' and 'superior mild and bitter ales of the highest quality supplied in excellent condition'.

The Millstone	The Bay Horse

The Plough Brewery was also known as 'Mercers' and became famous for a brew sold as 'Mercer's Meat Stout'. In addition there have been several other brewers including Henry Seddon, T. Pointon and Thomas Atherton est. 1855.

Adlington & Anderton Beer Bottles	The White Horse

Quite a number of pubs have long been forgotten. A pub known as the Bee Hive once stood on Adlington Common relinquishing its licence in 1873. The Plough itself has now been demolished along with the Farmers Arms which was located on Chorley Road, near to King George's Playing Fields

The Elephant & Castle	The Ridgway Arms
The Black Horse	The Bridge

Pub names are a clue to both the important families of an area and the types of trade and industry practised. For instance, the Ridgeway Arms derives its name from the Ridgeway family, bleachers of Wallsuches, Horwich, the Plough is a reference to agriculture once a major source of employment and the importance of the cotton industry is indicated by the fact that two licensed premises presently trade under the sign, Spinner Arms' and know locally as "Top Spinners" or "Bottom Spinners"

At this present time there are 14 pubs trading in or on the very borders of Adlington, Anderton and Heath Charnock. As with most small villages there is intense rivalry between the local pub teams in sports like football, darts and pool.