Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger

Donald Peterson (David Tennant) and his wife Sarah (Joanna Page) make their way to the shop where they buy a Christmas sock for their unborn baby’s first Christmas. Facing east on Henley Street in Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire with the junction formed by Union Street, Bridge Street, High Street and Wood Street in the left background.

The decorations were already up when I visited. (PW)

While Sarah rests inside, Donald arrives home and struggles through the front door with a Christmas tree.

Chaos reigns inside St. Bernadette’s primary school where the excited pupils make preparations to take part in “A Song for Christmas”. This is Holy Family Catholic Primary School on Penny Park Lane in Coventry, West Midlands which also features in the first ‘Nativity’ film.

Over at Oakmoor School, Mr. Shakespeare reads the newspaper article announcing the competition to his class. Bablake School on Coundon Road, Coventry in West Midlands which, again, also appears in the original ‘Nativity’.

Hardly disguised by a larger branch than the pupils, Teaching Assistant Desmond Poppy (Marc Wootton) brings up the rear as the class sneak into the “A Song for Christmas” auditions.

Arriving for his first day at work, new teacher Mr. Peterson walks through the gate at St. Bernadette’s. Looking onto Penny Park Lane from the school grounds.

Singing what sounds like a Christmas Carol, Mr. Poppy and the class skip from the building before confronting the stranger. Holy Family Catholic Primary School on Penny Park Lane in Keresley, Coventry.

After Mr. Peterson takes up his position, another day begins at St. Bernadette's. Holy Family Catholic Primary School on Penny Park Lane.

Mr. Poppy announces to the class that 'Operation Song for Christmas' is under way. Holy Family Catholic Primary School in Keresley.

Donald passes through the staff gate at St. Bernadette’s and is shocked at the sight before him. The staff entrance of Holy Family Primary School on Penny Park Road.

An amphibious DUKW appears from behind the school. Looking towards the south east from the playground at Holy Family Primary School with properties on Beake Avenue in the background.

The exuberant children run towards the “duck” to begin the the journey to take part in “A Song for Christmas”. The playground at Holy Family Primary School in Coventry.

At Oakmoor School, the door closes on a more suitable mode of transport. Outside Bablake School on Coundon Road to the north west of Coventry city centre.

With the “duck” driven by Mr. Poppy, Mr. Peterson and the class make their way through Wales towards Castell Llawen.

As the mini-coach bringing Oakmoor’s pupils arrives in the small Welsh village of Llawen, Mr. Shakespeare is surprised to see a “duck” in the Market Square. Market Street in Llanrhaeadr Ym Mochnant, Powys with Park Street to the extreme right.

The children spot pupils from St. Bernadette’s and Mr. Shakespeare is horrified, telling everyone to turn away. The village of Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant is the main loctation for ‘The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain’.

Oakmoor School’s luxury mini-coach continues through the village. Market Street, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant.

Mr. Poppy appears from a shop carrying a mountain of sweets. In the background stands the well preserved Bodalwyn News shop on Market Street in Llanrhaeadr Ym Mochnant near Oswestry.

Struggling with his confectionery purchases, Mr. Poppy reaches the “duck”. Market Street in Llanrhaeadr Ym Mochnant.

Mr. Shakespeare and his class approach a road junction. Looking south-eastward along the B4580 on the road from Llanrhaeadr Ym Mochnant with the road to Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog to the left.

Getting out of the coach, Mr. Shakespeare (Jason Watkins) orders Elena (Eleanor Grant) to keep a look out before directing another pupil to turn the signpost for Castell Llawen to point in the opposite direction. Facing the junction were the routes from Maen Gwynedd, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog and Llansilin meet the road into Llanrhaeadr Ym Mochnant on the left with Bryn Awel left of centre.

Now heading the wrong way after following the altered signpost, the “duck” negotiates mountain roads. The hairpin bend on the B4393 running between Lake Vyrnwy and Llanrhaeadr Ym Mochnant at the junction where the road from Cownwy joins.

Mr. Poppy stops the "duck" when a Baby is discovered on board.

Telling everyone that he knows the way, Mr. Poppy drives into a lake.

Mr. Poppy drives the "duck" across the lake before it runs out of fuel on the opposite bank. Lake Vyrnwy in Powys with the Gothic style straining tower in the left background. The lake also appears in 'The Last Days of Dolwyn'.

The film’s Castell Llawen where Donald’s estranged twin brother Roderick is competing with his choir from St. Cuthbert's College. In reality, Warwick Castle in Warwick, Warwickshire.

Looking roughly south-west. Also seen in "King Ralph". SJ

While the contestants from St. Bernadette's trek across country, Mr. Shakespeare is flustered when discovering the loss of Elena when he and his class arrive at the castle. The grounds of Warwick Castle with “The Coach House” in the left distance.

The lawn is dominated by picnic tables. SJ

The Oakmoorians file into the castle. The Barbican and Gateway into Warwick Castle with the Clock Tower behind.

Christmas Tree-free. SJ

Classical composer Roderick Peterson (David Tennant) marches across the castle coutyard with his exceptionally talented choir. The Inner or Central Court of Warwick Castle with Ethelfleda's Mound, also referred to as Castle Mound, and the Northern Tower in the top background.

A rather colourful scene today. SJ

The previously positive mood dissipates when the class catch sight of the obviously superior St. Cuthbert's College choir. Inside the Central Court at Warwick Castle with the Clock Tower’s Gateway as the background.

Nice flower-barrels. SJ

Having been joined by a donkey on their journey, Mr. Poppy, Mr. Sanderson and the children approach an isolated building.

Mr. Sanderson attempts to tether the donkey while back in Coventry, his wife learns that her husband and his class are five hours late for their sound check.

Continuing their quest, Mr. Sanderson, Mr. Poppy and the children take to a river. Nick Jones advises that this scene was shot at the National White Water Centre on the River Tryweryn at Frongoch near Bala in Gwynedd.

Realising that they are lost and soaking wet after their experience on the river, the class take shelter in a cave.

Whilst the other contestants watch in awe as St. Cuthbert's choir rehearses at the castle, the entrants from St. Bernadette's negotiate a waterfall. Pistyll Rhaeadr Waterfall near Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant, Powys as noted on IMDB.

After he gets stuck after helping the class down a cliff, a helicopter carrying his wife Sarah arrives to rescue Donald.

Mr. Poppy, Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson and the class finally arrive at Castell Llawen. Warwick Castle at night with Caesar’s Tower on the left and Guy’s Tower to the right. The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford upon Avon was used for the competition scenes.

A rather cloudy morning produces a night-like effect. SJ

In a Nativity like scene, Sarah Peterson gives birth to twin boys. Although the internal stable scenes were shot at Avoncroft Museum in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire this is the Boat House on the River Avon at Warwick Castle in Warwickshire.

The Boat House is on the south bank of the Avon and the setting for a rather splendid falconry show. SJ