PPE degree - are my options applicable?

for my levels I chose English lit, maths and philosophy.

I understand that history is recommended, but will my application be looked down upon more for having English lit instead of history ?

Have a look at the Entry Requirements section on the course page of uni websites. From a few courses that I've just had a quick look at, history is not a required subject for PPE so your understanding 'that history is recommended' is probably incorrect and your current A levels are fine.