 He succeeded his father in 1775 and his great-uncle Sir Merrick Burrell as 2nd Baronet in 1787.He was 
created Baron Gwydir on 16 June 1796.A keen amateur cricketer Burrell has been called the third most influential member of the White Conduit Club and of the early MCC, after George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea and Charles Lennox, 4th Duke of Richmond.