OP is stuck with seeking goodwill from BA. EC 261/2004 will not work in this instance, although it could have worked quite well.

1. When OP was offered the choice of the night at ZRH and a reroute in the morning, I presume that the overnight would have included hotel and meal vouchers. Alternatively, wait it out and maybe make it back home.

With Option 1 - OP would have had his hotel & meals, a reroute and TP. All would be well.
With Option 2 - OP would have EUR 250 in EC 261/2004 compensation and his TP. All would be well.

I fully appreciate that OP was tired. But, at least a call to BA on the reroute?

2. But, OP chose a refund of his ticket and then struck out on his own. Once he did that, he was on his own. Whether it was to a hotel and back home or off to some other place never to return does not matter. He is entitled to neither a "duty of care" nor cancellation (delay) compensation.

Rather, he would do far better to reach out in a very clear way on the TP. That is purely a customer service gesture issue. What militates against the TP is that OP took the refund. But, that seems minor under the circumstances where BA has saved itself EUR 250 or a hotel & meals.