‘N‐gauging’ geographies: craft consumption, indoor leisure and model railways

Hobbies and crafts have been neglected by geographers concerned with leisure activities. Drawing upon a study of model railway layouts, we use Campbell's concept of the craft consumer to re‐focus attention on the geographies of indoor leisure ( Campbell 2005 The craft consumer: culture, craft and consumption in a postmodern society Journal of Consumer Culture 5 23–42). We argue that spatialities of hobby activities contribute to identity formation, consumption practices and lifestyles. The idea of the craft consumer is assessed and further directions signposted for the study of hobbies by geographers.