Nice dog walking large parks/areas M25 Kent/Sussex

[fastliving]

It's a tradition that I go for a long walk with my family (inc young children & dogs) for my birthday followed by a pub meal.
In the past we've done places like Hampstead Heath, Richmond Park etc.
Looking for somewhere different, but needs to be close to M25 in the Sussex/West Kent section as that's the easiest for everyone to drive to.
Anyone go any ideas? Needs to have lots of off-lead space for the dogs ideally.

Bedgebury Pinetum or Bewl Water are both lovely dependant on how far you want to travel.

I really want to go to Epping Forest - heard it's really incredible for dogs. I have zero idea on geography though, I just know it's east & right off the M25! 😂

3 great suggestions! but not near enough to the M25.
M25 Junctions 5 & 6 would be ideal as it's less than 2 hours drive for all the family that are coming from different directions

If you come off at Junction 6 and carry on on the A22 for half an hour, you are in Ashdown Forest, aka Winnie the Pooh country. Lots of long walk options - Gills Lap is a popular bit to walk around- and lots of nice pubs. The Hatch Inn near Gills Lap is very popular and does gorgeous food, but you have to book! Loads of other good pubs too.

Tilgate Park in Crawley is large with a big lake. It has a Go Ape, a little zoo/farm which is great for kids and of course great park equipment. There is also one of those Smith and Western pub restaurants right in the middle of it too but I suspect that's not really the pub lunch you'd be looking for

box hill or ranmore common dorking? some nice country pubs there too

Dogs on leads but Knole Park in Sevenoaks is great.

Dogs on leads because of wild deer. Stunning.

Bit further than you said but Reigate Hill is great for walking dogs, junction 8. There is a nice cafe there as well.

Farningham Woods is just off J3 of the M25.

Then lunch at the Plough in Eynsford.

Lovely walk from Igtham Mote (National trust) to The Chaser Inn (nice, dog friendly)
my.viewranger.com/route/details/MjAwNTY=

explorekent.org/activities/shipbourne-walk-as-pretty-as-a-picture/

Ide Hill and Knole walks also lovely. Though as pp mentioned dogs on leads at Knole because of deer.

The circuit around Penshurst Place, Penshurst, is gorgeous. There’s the Porcupine Pantry for coffee, cake, lunch or you can go to The Leicester Arms in the village. Both are dog friendly.

Thanks for all the suggestions, have got a lovely list to work through!