Our History

Making life less complicated with legal advice since 1758

WSP Solicitors was established following the merger of three local firms that had been providing legal advice in Gloucestershire for more than two centuries: Winterbothams, A E Smith & Son and Penleys. Indeed, Penleys LLP was one of the oldest legal firms in the South West, having been established in Dursley by John Vizard in 1758. Family member William Vizard even acted for Queen Caroline when George IV tried to divorce her.

In 1930, a young Laurie Lee, later famed for writing Cider With Rosie amongst other literary works, began working as an office junior at Randall & Payne Chartered Accountants, then based in number 4 Rowcroft, in Stroud. Though the role didn’t suit his poetic spirit, it placed him within the very building that now houses WSP Solicitors. This modest beginning, in what was then a bustling accountancy office, marked the start of Lee’s journey from errand boy to celebrated author, embedding a literary legacy within the walls of WSP’s present-day home.

Our heritage is important to us. We still operate in the Cotswold town of Stroud, with an office in Stroud Town Centre, and have clients across the Stroud District including Dursley, Stonehouse, Nailsworth and Painswick. We also have an office in Gloucester to allow us to support even more people across the county in Cheltenham, Tewkesbury, Quedgeley, Churchdown and the Forest of Dean.

Today, we pride ourselves on using our uncomplicated approach to help people from all walks of life with their personal and business legal affairs.

Our ethos of making life less complicated applies to everything we do – including our fees. We’ll always be honest and upfront about our legal costs and give you a fixed estimate before we act on your behalf. We’ll provide regular fee updates and never incur additional charges without your authority.

What could be simpler than that? With WSP Solicitors it’s Life. Less Complicated.