As a young man he was associated with the beginning of tourism down the River Wye and later with the controversial appointment of an English monoglot to a Welsh-speaking parish in Anglesey.

Having had a boat specially made, he began taking his visitors on trips down the River Wye and such was their popularity that they became a regular feature.

At Durham he displayed a talent for conciliation in promoting peace and prosperity in the county, which had been divided by elections, and in the city, which had been torn by disputes.

He was also a benefactor to the county by encouraging public works: He promoted the enclosure of Walling Fen; assisted materially in rebuilding a bridge over the Tyne between Newcastle and Gateshead; and in 1780 granted a new charter to the city of Durham.

In addition, he made extensive improvements at the episcopal palaces and was a liberal supporter of many religious and educational institutions.