File:Hothfield, St Margaret's church interior (31559062170).jpg

The church was mentioned in the Domesday Monachoram of 1070. In 1271 the church is said to have formed part of the possessions of Rohese de Dover, wife of the Baron of Chilham. The church consists of chancel with north and south chapels, a nave with north and south aisles, a west tower with spire. The tower dates from the 14th century and has a plain parapet with a shingled octagonal spire. The south side of the tower has a rounded turret with a spiral staircase to the belfry. There are six bells.

The church is built of Kentish rag stone with tiled roofs. There is a south porch with windows from the 13th century, and over the entrance there is a mass dial. The chancel dates from the 13th century. There is a piscina and on the north side of the altar is a large aumbry. There is no chancel arch. The nave has a three bay arcade, the north eastern arch was modified to take the tomb of Sir John Tufton. This is described elsewhere.

In 1598 it was struck by lightning and a large part of it burnt to the ground. It was rebuilt by Sir John Tufton in 1603, mostly in the perpendicular style. In 1876 the church was again restored and many alterations were made. In the Second World War many windows were blown blown out by a bomb, the roof was damaged and many of the pews were damaged beyond repair.