This should be easy, but it's turning out to be confusing

The problem is that you will be working here illegally! You would need to obtain a work permit to be able to work in the UK and if you do not you could be deported and unable to return to the UK for up to ten years. What's more other countries could potentially view your immigration history with suspicion and may not allow you entry! Is it really worth the risk?

I should add that its taken me over a year to finalise my work permit/residence visa and I'm from an 'easy' immigration country, New Zealand.The whole process has been extremely expensive and although I now finally have the right papers etc and can get work (I'm also self-employed)it will take some time to actually recover my financial position. I've started writing a blog about some of my experiences as a new immigrant in England read more here www.usebefore.blogspot.com

Thanks for the comments so far.  I'm certainly not interested in being somewhere illegally, which is why the suggestion to contact the embassy is so valuable.  (Trust me, I know about illegal immigration: I'm from southern California. :-)

So what if I live there on a six-month tourist visa and happen to run my US business while I'm there?  I recognize that's something less than expatriation, so this might not be the right forum.  But it seems like that would be what I was originally describing (i.e., just pick up and go).  And that seems to be a little more within the guidelines for living and working in (or from) the UK, right?

And is it considered working IN the UK when I'm not working for a UK business?

Thanks again!

Hi,my experience with this is that there are tax implications, and working permit problems. I was hoping to continue my business domiciled in NZ (a writing business I could work at online) however I was advised that not only would I be breaching my visitor status but that I could potentially be taxed in both UK and NZ AND (its a big one) the UK could see it as a tax-rort. They are very very sensitive to folk trading through shelf companies here and in effect they might see your way of working as falling into that category.

Though if you do manage to get it sorted, Hampshire/Berkshire are nice areas of the country and near enough to dip your toes in the chaos of the big smoke (London) easily! :-)

I would also recommend the embassy. I'm an American in Austria looking at a move to the UK. Immigration is not a simple task anywhere to the EU anymore. In theory, the UK allows Americans to stay as a tourist for up to 6 months. However, you will be grilled about your activities upon entry. You may (probably will) have to show proof of sufficient funds for the duration of the trip for you and your family, proof of lodging for the duration and also a confirmed exit. That means you'll have to buy tickets out of the country at a certain date. I have to say that if you hold a round-trip ticket for you and your family 6 months down the line, it will look suspicious (i.e. no income/work). It's not an impossible task, but it will require a bit more than "pick up and go." I'm not a lawyer or immigration specialist, so I'd suggest you seek profession resources, but I'd be more than willing to throw some advice your way if you want!