I also own my own property, free of mortgage, but my 30 or so square yards is hardly going to impact of the 5yds of countryside I border. Yet I managed 900 acres of farm land that had been tenanted as far back as my great grandfathers marriage. I still have to consider if it necessary for the postman to reach my front door and provide a safe way when it is iced.
Harry Cotterell farms 2000 acres of Herefordshire, within is an important historical section of Offa's Dyke, yet he writes, authoritatively that landowners are best placed to decide, who has access to their land. His section of Offa's Dyke remains in private domain.
For as long as I have discussed access matters with farmers, the old hack argument that I should equate my garden with their occupation, has been the central core of the logic. If you start to evaluate the terrain, features and infrastructure beyond the boundaries of a particular area of 'private land' reasons become apparent for a need to cross, visit or utilize for safety reasons, which do not impinge on the agricultural use. This is the part of land, as an asset, that should be recognized as having communal value.
I can suggest several special places on the land I used to farm that should be part of public access, they are now in the process of being trashed by land managers blind to their potential.
Should the current owner of a house that was built in a special location share, should the owner of 5000 acres be aware why people might or even need to cross his land? Would the sharing of a bridge over a motorway or railway line link cross country ways that could grow in major lines of trekking?
Where is the line? Historic immorality in selfish acquisition has perhaps left a jagged line, where the boundaries need to be explored with a new understanding.