Dudley North, 3rd Baron North was a distinguished nobleman in the court of James I. His excessive early lifstyle resulted in him in 1605 at the age of 24 having to retire to the country at Eridge House, the property of Lord Abergavenny, to recharge his batteries. He decided to return to London early in 1606 and during his journey he discovered The Wells. According to Thomas Benge Burr's History of Tunbridge Wells published in 1766 :

"He could not pass by without taking notice of a water, which seemed to claim his attention, on account of the shining mineral scum that everywhere swam on its surface, as well as on account of the ochreous substance which subsided at the bottom, and marked its course to a neighbouring brook. His lordship accordingly observed these uncommon appearances, the meaning of which he could not instantly comprehend; however, they induced him to alight from his carriage, in order to examine it more attentively; and at the same time he ordered one of his attendants to borrow a little vessel from the neighbouring hovel, that he might taste it: and the peculiar ferruginous taste of the water not only convinced lord North, that it held its course through some undiscovered mine, contained in the dark cavities of the earth, but also gave him room to fancy, that it was indued with some medicinal properties, which might be beneficial to the human race."

North returned to London and the properties of the samples he had collected were examined by physicians and

"the result of their inquiries proved so favourable to this hereto neglected spring, that they hasted back again to publish its valuable qualities, and to give their noble patient sufficient encouragement to try its efficacy, on the return of the vernal season"

North followed their advice, was cured of his disorders and lived on to 1666 at the advanced age of 85.