I would like to chip in with my abiding recollection of one of Fay Weldon’s works, The Heart of the Country. I watched the television series in 1987 and was overwhelmed by the spectacular carnival scenes in the final episode.
Later that year I moved to Somerset and discovered the local carnival tradition on which the author had obviously drawn, besides the setting in and around Wells, where the carnival is held each November. I promptly read the book, which I heartily recommend, particularly to people who know this area.