Open Morris (OM) was formed in 1979 as a loose organisation of East Anglian dancers, following efforts to find local friends and sympathisers by one of the few mixed morris sides in the country at that time. By positively encouraging membership of mixed gender sides, OM recognised an unmet need and membership gradually increased as interest spread nationwide. Open Morris wholeheartedly encourages excellent performance whilst maintaining its principal philosophy that dancing should be fun, both for dancers and audience.

Open Morris, as a member of the Joint Morris Organisations, is now regularly involved in discussions and conferences with the The Morris Ring and the Morris Federation.